Flash floods hit Penang (Updated)

GEORGE TOWN: Flash floods have struck the state once again as several low lying areas were affected by rising waters.
A spokesperson at the state drainage and irrigation department, who confirmed this, said that most reports of flooding were detected in the George Town district.
"The combination of heavy monsoon rains and high tide have triggered the floods", he said.
Rescue personnel have been mobilised to assist those who were aggrieved by the incident.
The common rush hour commute was made worse with the floods here.
State Gerakan veteran leader Wong Mun Hoe said that Penang has not been able to escape its reputation as a flood-prone state.
He urged the federal and state government to hasten their flood mitigation projects.
State Gerakan Youth chief Hng Chee Wey also took the state to task for failing to solve the flood woes despite numerous promises pledged.
He took to social media to air his grouses and urged authorities to do something to prevent it from recurring.
Water has receded but there was a traffic snarl along the road from Air Itam heading towards town.
Many motorists were stuck in the jam along the route.
A motorist Heng Sim Chee, from Paya Terubong, said she had no choice but to endure such congestion each time it floods.
"I really hope the state can do something about it, " she said.
The plan to solve traffic congestion has been mooted by the state through Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP) but NGOs have since aired their displeasure over such plans which may affect the environment and ecosystem.