Rescue and recovery efforts ongoing in Penang

BUKIT MERTAJAM: Rescue and recovery work continued in Penang amidst overcast skies as the focus of the federal and state agencies are now on repatriating those affected home and rescuing those on Penang Hill.
As the torrential rain left widespread damage with state Flood Mitigation committee chairperson Chow Kon Yeow citing that 80% of the state was hit; there are several mitigation works taking place in the five districts here.
At Penang Hill, northeast district police head Asst Comm Anuar Omar confirmed that the police will mount a rescue of some 35 hikers from India, who went up the hill over the weekend for a retreat but found trouble coming down.
The hill is also home to around 500 inhabitants and as of noon, no causalities have been reported on the famous tourism landmark.
The rescue team will consist of firemen, police, civil defence members and volunteers including hikers who are familiar with the hilly terrain.
Two heroic hikers managed to hand over water and food to the hikers on Monday after they were informed of the situation.
A police helicopter has been deployed to monitor the rescue attempt.
Penang Hill is 833m above the sea surface, and the hikers have taken refuge at the 600m mark.
Anuar said the rescue will be initiated soon in view of the possibility of more rain deluging the area in the later part of the day.
The hill was closed off on Sunday as a landslide fell on the funicular train track.
In Paya Terubong and Persiaran Tanjung Bungah, engineers from the Penang Island Municipal Council continue to access roads left damaged.
They are concerned over more soil movement and if there is a need to evacuate residents living in the vicinities.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng accompanied Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak on three inspection visits to the localities most affected now; namely in Bertam, Bukit Mertajam and in Sungai Dua near Butterworth.
Najib was also briefed on the latest relief efforts by the State Flood Operations director Datuk Seri Farizan Darus, who is also the State Secretary.
On the island, most of the inhabitants seemed to be getting their lives back to normal and many were out to cheer on the Prince of Wales, Prince Charles, and the Duchess of Cornwall, Camilla, on the royal couple's brief visit to Penang.
It was their maiden visit to the island which was once named the Prince of Wales Island.
In a report released by a police spokesperson, the number of flood victims in Penang dropped to 6,080 as of Tuesday morning, from 6,243 on Monday.
The Seberang Prai Utara district recorded the highest number with 3,955 victims and roads which remained closed are Jalan Lahar Yooi - Sungai Dua, Lahar Yooi - Padang Menora, Jalan Pokok Tampang and Jalan Padang Tonsun.
In Seberang Prai Tengah, 1,913 people were displaced, in Seberang Prai Selatan - 191 and in the northeast of the island, 21 persons.
They are housed in 41 flood relief centres.
Meanwhile, non-governmental organisations including Mercy Malaysia have begun to mobilise their resources to help those aggrieved by the floods.
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