PENANG woke up to a very wet morning with flash floods in several locations on the island and mainland.

Areas hit between 4am and 9am on the island’s northeast district included George Town, Jalan Masjid Negeri, Jalan P. Ramlee, Jalan Datuk Keramat, Jalan Perak, Jalan Kuantan, Bukit Gelugor, Bukit Gambir, Jalan Thean Teik, Jalan Lumba Kuda, and Batu Ferringhi.

In the southwest district, residents in some areas in Relau, Bayan Baru, Teluk Bahang, Teluk Kumbar and Bayan Lepas were also hit by flash floods.

On the mainland, Mak Mandin, Bagan Dalam, Permatang Pauh, Taman Senangin, Bertam Indah, Jalan Ong Yi How, Raja Uda, Taman Cantik, Taman Siakap and Jalan Bukit Tengah are among the flooded areas.

A report by the Penang Drainage and Irrigation Department northeast district engineer recorded 198mm of rainfall at the Sungai Pinang station and 120.5mm at the Air Itam station.

The report also showed that the water level in Sungai Pinang (3.2m) and Sungai Air Itam (7.341m) had reached the danger level, leading to the floods measuring 10cm to 60cm in many areas. Both are the northeast district’s main rivers.

The sea level was between 1.6m and 2m during the flash floods.

The Penang fire and rescue department in an update to the media earlier today said it has been getting calls for help since pre-dawn.

As early as 5am, the department was called to Jalan Permatang Pasir in Kg Permatang Pasir, Balik Pulau, to rescue two flood victims.

They picked up five pupils at Lintang P. Ramlee in Jelutong at 6.13am, and an adult and child from Medan Goh Guan Hoe on Jalan Lumba Kuda in Air Itam at 6.53am.

In the initial report on rescue operations, the department’s spokesman said firefighters were also evacuating two victims on Jalan Chin Yet Hong in Balik Pulau’s Kg Pantai Acheh; five others (three adults and two children) on Jalan Thean Teik 2 in Air Itam; and another person on Jalan Paya Terubong after receiving distress calls between 7.15am and 8.40am.

The department also reported that a landslide happened in Medan Fettes in Tanjung Bungah earlier this morning after being alerted about 7am. 

No one was hurt in the incident but three cars were buried in a landslide. The vehicles, which were empty, were removed using backhoe.

The weather forecast for Penang today, according to AccuWeather.com, is cloudy with showers and thunderstorms. – September 15, 2017.