Penang flash flood forces 1,200 to evacuate

BALIK PULAU: Flash floods hit Penang today as a combination of heavy rain and high tide overwhelmed the drainage systems in many areas on the island.
One of the worst hit was the fishing village of Kampung Teluk Awak in Teluk Bahang near here.
Teluk Bahang assemblyman Datuk Shah Headan Ayoob Hussain Shah said some 1,200 residents there were affected by the rising waters.
He said the waters was about knee-high following a heavy downpour between 1pm and 2pm but noted the rain started in the morning.
"Dinner is being prepared for those affected while the District Office has been asked to open up the community halls for those who need a place to stay the night," he said when contacted.
Penang Local Government Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow meanwhile said 190mm of rain was recorded near the Teluk Bahang Dam.
He said high tide has caused the river there to burst its banks adding that the Penang Island City Council and Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) has been mobilised to deal with the flooding.
"They are there to provide assistance and clean up after the flood waters have receded," he said via text.
theSun meanwhile has received anecdotal evidence on social media that flash floods have also hit Bayan Baru, Batu Maung and Teluk Kumbar.
Checks on infobanjir.water.gov.my (the flood monitoring resource operated by the DID showed several areas in Penang receiving heavy rain volume.
These areas include Lahar Ikan Mati (46mm), Permatang Binjai (44mm), Pintu Air Bagan Air Itam (49mm) Tali Air Besar Sungai Pinang (85mm) and Air Putih Tasik Junjung (44mm).
The Penang International Airport (PIA) was also hit by the rising waters when the Bayan Lepas are experienced heavy rain between 3pm to 5pm.
PIA senior manager Arif Jaafar said water entered the arrival hall and flowed through a lane at the curb and the service road.
He said several inbound and outbound flights were put on hold due to heavy rain and strong winds.
"(There is) traffic jam at the roundabout approaching the airport terminal due to water overflow," he said in a brief statement to the media.