SEVERAL areas in the Barat Daya district in Penang were hit by flash floods following heavy rain since 3am.

Floodwater rose up 50cm high in Balik Pulau, Sungai Pinang and Teluk Bahang.

A resident of Sungai Pinang, Hamisah Sariman, who is in her 40s, said her family was sleeping and only noticed water entering the house around 3.30am.

“I woke up when I heard the rain getting heavier and when I came out of the room, the living room was flooded. I woke my husband and children up, we moved the electrical items to a high place so that they wouldn’t be damaged.

“This is the first time our house has been flooded this year. Water rose up to my knee because it rained heavily until this morning. Fortunately, the rain subsided after 10am,” she said.

According to the Penang City Council (MBPP), several places in the Timur Laut district experienced rising water levels and stagnant floodwater, among them Jalan P. Ramlee, Jalan Langkawi (Kebun Lama), Taman Rampas (Sungai Pinang), Jalan Perak, Lilitan Stadium and Persiaran Perak (Astaka Stadium) due to continuous rain since yesterday.

MBPP in a statement said that there were also incidents of fallen trees in several areas including at Jalan Loh Poh Heng, Paya Terubong as well as the route next to Recsam leading to Jalan Tun Sardon.

“Immediate action is being taken and the routes will be opened to the public as soon as it is safe,” it said. – Bernama, July 1, 2023.