PENANG has called in the Malaysian army for help as floodwaters rose from the nearly 24 hours of heavy rain battering the island state.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng requested the military aid as waters reached 3m to 3.6m high, reaching the rooflines, in some areas.

“Penang asks for help from the armed forces. I have successfully contacted the deputy prime minister and I thank him for answering my call at 3.30am.

“He promised to send the armed forces to save Penang,” he said in a video posted on Facebook late yesterday.

He added that the situation in the state was critical and evacuation centres were without electricity. 

In a separate posting, Lim said he had never seen such a disaster in Penang with 80% of the state hit by typhoon-like winds and incessant heavy rain. 

Among the affected areas in George Town were Kg Masjid, Jalan P. Ramlee, Sg Pinang, Jalan Kebun Lama, Lebuh Carnovan, Jalan Anson and Halaman Bukit Gambir.

Bayan Baru, Bayan Lepas, Batu Ferringghi, Balik Pulau and several areas in Seberang Prai were also hit.

Lim, who was in several flood-hit areas since early this morning, said almost 2,000 people have been evacuated.

Central Seberang Prai was the worst hit areas with 1,125 evacuees, followed by northern Seberang Prai (615), and the Penang island’s southwest district (158) and northeast district (70).

“We are now waiting for the army to arrive from the Sg Petani camp to assist flood victims, namely those in central Seberang Prai,” Lim said in a pre-dawn briefing.

“The very strong winds and heavy rain. It exceeded what our resources could handle. 

“We are very grateful to the Fire and Rescue Department, Civil Defence Department and all other rescue units working hard to help those affected.”

Ninety-nine families were placed in four temporary shelters when their houses were flooded in the southwest district last night.

According to district police chief A.A. Anbalaga some 290 people were placed in four shelters as at 8am today.

“The areas affected are Pulau Betong, Sg Pinang, Sg Korok and Teluk Kumbar. Several roads were also closed in Balik Pulau – Jalan Tun Sardon, Jalan Titi Kerawang to Teluk Bahang.”

He said all 100 evacuees at SM Teluk Kumbar returned home around 11am today. – November 5, 2017.