PETALING JAYA: The devastation incurred following a severe storm that started hitting Penang last night became clear this morning as reports and viral photographs emerged of uprooted trees, widespread floods and landslides on the island and mainland.
The damage included one of the cross-channel ferries having apparently struck the jetty with excessive force due to the high winds and waves.
A road collapse was also seen at a high-end residential development project on a hillslope in Tanjung Bungah.
The New Straits Times reported that among the worst affected areas in George Town were Kampung Masjid, Jalan P Ramlee, Sungai Pinang, Jalan Kebun Lama, Lebuh Carnovan, Jalan Anson and Halaman Bukit Gambir.
It quoted the Northeast District Drainage and Irrigation Department as saying that the downpour had caused the water levels of several rivers, including Sungai Pinang, Sungai Air Itam and Sungai Dondang to reach dangerous levels at 2.83 metres, 6.58 metres and 21.88 metres respectively.
Among the affected areas in Seberang Perai were Taman Siakap, Permatang Rawa, Taman Senangin, Padang Lalang, Mak Mandin and several locations in Penanti, it said.
Bernama reported Penang International Airport manager Ramzi Ahmad as saying that four flights that were trying to land there had to be diverted, three to Subang Airport and one to the Langkawi International Airport.
“More than 26 outbound flights were delayed but all operations still went smoothly. Currently all flights are operating as normal,” he said this morning.
Meanwhile, a Bangladeshi man was killed while a friend of his was missing after a tree fell on their rented house in Jalan Assumption, Butterworth.
According to Bernama, Seberang Perai Utara (SPU) police chief ACP Noozainy Mohd Noor said the area was flooded knee-deep when rescuers found the victim dead.
His body was sent to the Seberang Jaya Hospital while search efforts were ongoing for his friend who neighbours said was in the house.
Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the storm which reportedly lasted more than 15 hours had caused 1,968 flood victims to be evacuated to shelters in four districts.
Seberang Perai Tengah saw 1,125 people being placed in shelters, Seberang Perai Utara saw 650, the island’s Northeast district had 70 evacuees and the Southwest district had 158.
Lim said the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) had also deployed personnel to the Northeast district to render assistance, Bernama reported.
“As for Seberang Perai, we are awaiting military personnel from the Sungai Petani Camp and we are badly in need of their help. There are many more flood victims who desperately need help,” he said.
“The situation has improved somewhat and the rains are easing off. However, floodwaters have yet to recede and the winds are still strong.
“We remain fearful that there may still be untoward incidents because of the strong winds, the like of which we have never experienced before, and flash floods might recur,” he added.
He also thanked the MAF, the civil defence force, police, the fire and rescue services department and all parties who helped out and hoped the safety and security of families would be safeguarded during this difficult time.
Checks by Bernama found Seberang Jaya on the mainland to be the worst hit with even several sections of the Seberang Jaya Hospital hit by flash floods.
However, the situation was under control and no patients were moved out.
Rapid Penang was temporarily ceasing its stage bus operations due to the flash floods both on the island and the mainland.
In a statement today, it said floodwaters had inundated major roads and electricity supplies to key areas were disrupted.
“In the interest of public safety, we have no option but to temporarily cease the operations of our stage buses until the heavy rain and floodwaters subside,” it said. -FMT
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