GEORGE TOWN: Tens of thousands of Penangites woke up to massive flash floods, triggered by overnight downpour, which crippled many parts of Penang today.
Traffic on most of the main roads were paralysed when vehicles were submerged in floodwaters between 0.3m and 0.6m in depth. More than 20 vehicles were trapped in the floods.
Houses in over 100 locations throughout the state were inundated in floodwaters, with some rising chest-high. Rescuers evacuated 17 people, including eight children who were trapped in their houses as a result of the floods as a downpour continued to pummel the state.
Schools, markets and an old folks home were also not spared. Thirteen senior citizens, four of whom bedridden, were carried by volunteers to the Caunter Hall Tua Peh Kong temple.
A funeral wake at a house in Taman Lumba Kuda, Batu Gantung, was complicated by floodwaters, which almost came up to the casket.
According to a villager, known only as Tan, in his 60s, this was the worst flood to hit the state since 1995.
"Everything happened so fast. The skies were clear when I woke up at 6am today. In less than an hour, the floodwater had risen up to hip-level.
"There was not much we could do," he told the New Straits Times.
Among the worst hit areas on the island were Jalan Kebun Lama, Jalan Masjid Negeri, Parit Lumba Kuda, Jalan Langkawi, Jalan P. Ramlee, Kampung Masjid, Kampung Makam, Jalan Kampung Jawa, Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, Kampung Paya, Kampung Nelayan, Kampung Sulup, Persiaran Relau, Taman Iping, Jalan Tengah Pondok Upeh and Taman Seri Indah.
Areas affected on the mainland included Mak Mandin, Jalan Bagan Jermal, Jalan Permatang Pauh, Taman Cantek, Jalan Bukit Tengah, Jalan Jelawat, Taman Senangin, Bertam Indah, Jalan Ong Yi How, Taman Bunga Raya , Kampung Bagan Jaya, Kampung Simpah , Lorong Perusahaan, Jalan Thamby Kechik, Bagan dalam and Kampung Sethu.
Power was also cut in Bandar Baru Air Itam after a substation was seen up in smoke.
Nearby the Taman Thean Teik substation, a couple was spotted perched on a rooftop when their house was almost completely submerged in water.
Forty people from 19 families in Teluk Kumbar, and a senior citizen from Mak Mandin were evacuated to a temporary shelter. They have since returned home.
Penang Civil Defence Department director Pang Ah Leh said they placed members on alert and several vehicles, including lorries and boats, were deployed to affected areas.
Trees were also uprooted while four landslips were reported on the island. At the Kayangan Puri Mutiara Apartment parking lot in Medan Fettes here, six cars were buried in an avalanche of mud.
Several flights to and from the Penang International Airport here were also reportedly delayed.
A Rapid Penang bus was also caught in the floodwaters, with most of its commuters soaked.
As of press time, a 29-year-old woman was reported missing after she was swept away by strong currents.
A Paya Terubong Fire and Rescue Department spokesman said the victim is believed to have fallen off her motorcycle into a 1m-deep drain.
"A search operation has been activated to look for the victim. We believe she may have been swept into the nearby river," he added.
State Local Government, Traffic Management and Flood Mitigation Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow blamed the flash floods on the inter-monsoon phenomenon experienced by the northern states.
Penang recorded the highest amount of rainfall ever in the state's history, which contributed to the floods in several areas.
State Local Government, Traffic Management and Flood Mitigation Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow said the highest amount of rain was 270mm, measured earlier today at the Air Itam dam.
"A month’s worth of came down within four hours, resulting in the flood we saw today.
“The dam was also filled up to 91.1 per cent by 12.15pm today compared to 74.6 per cent yesterday.
"The Teluk Bahang dam received 180mm of rainfall today, which is really high," he told a press conference.
Citizens Awareness Chant Group (Chant) adviser Yan Lee urged the Penang Island City Council's hillslope special team to inspect and hold a public consultation to inform the people that all development projects approved by the council are safe.
Meanwhile, numerous photos and video footages of the devastation caused by the flash floods spread throughout social media. Netizens also shared images of ‘teh tarik’-coloured water which inundated various parts of the island.
Amid the flash floods, netizens also took to social media to vent their frustration at the Penang government. They also poked fun at Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng's now-famous saying "Tak hujan tak banjir" (No rain, no floods).