GEORGE TOWN: Several flights which were scheduled to land at the Penang International Airport had to either turn back to the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) or be diverted to the Langkawi International Airport due to bad weather on Saturday.
Penang International Airport senior manager Ramzi Ahmad said three flights, including one from overseas, could not land due to heavy rains and strong winds.
“One flight from KLIA had to turn back, while two others from KLIA and Singapore were diverted to Langkawi International Airport and landed safely there,” he said.
Ramzi added that at least four flights from Penang Airport were unable to depart due to the inclement weather.
Meanwhile, Penang’s city centre’s usual weekend bustle was nowhere to be seen, as major roads are still closed.
As of 9am, floodwaters have yet to subside, with Jalan Sungai Pinang and Jalan Masjid Negeri still inundated and impassable to vehicles.
Elsewhere, at least fifty villages are still in waist-high water, including Kampung Dodol, Kampung Jawa and Kampung Terus.
Over ten relief centres have been opened at Mengkuang Titi, Lubok Meriam, Guar Perahu, SK Penanti and Surau Kampung Tok Subuh, where about 200 flood victims have taken shelter.