GEORGE TOWN: A massive cleanup effort is underway in flood-ravaged areas in Penang on Monday.
As the flood waters recede, displaced families across the state returned to their ruined homes to assess the damage and start the clean-up work.
Various civil society groups, federal and state government agencies assisted in the massive effort by providing manpower and preparing vehicles to move the rubbish.
A resident, Muhammad Najib Rosli, 28, said low water pressure however slowed down their work.
He said his family only finished cleaning up half of their home in Jalan P. Ramlee despite starting early.
"The three-metre high water starting to subside since last night and we decided do clean the house today." said Najib, who worked in Kuala Lumpur and rushed back to help last night.
"I rushed back when my family called and informed me about the flood.
"My mother is not well and I took leave to do this," he said.
Meanwhile, another resident, M. Rajoo said he was touched with by the assistance given by the volunteers.
"They came in and help us to clean our houses," said the technician.
The father of three said his children were still traumatised by the "mega flood".
"This is the first time this happened in the neighbourhood.
"The water rose so fast that I had no time to remove my brand new car," he said.
However, Rajoo said he accepted the tragedy as a test from God.
"Maybe this is a test from God for me to be more patient." he said.