GEORGE TOWN: Two hours of intense rainfall led to several areas along Penang's northern coast being hit by flash floods this morning.
State Infrastructure Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari described the rainfall, measuring 150mm, as "extraordinary."
He said rainfall of 50mm is already considered as "very heavy" rain.
"Rainfall of 150mm over two hours (between 8am and 10am) today is quite close to the great storm of November 2017. With this amount of rainfall, no normal infrastructure will be able to contain the water runoff.
"As a result, flash floods occurred in various parts of the Tanjung Bungah constituency," he said.
Zairil, who is also the Tanjung Bungah assemblyman, said the affected areas included Batu Ferringghi, Tanjung Bungah and Tanjung Tokong.
He said the focus is now on assisting the flood victims.
"My office is currently assisting government agencies to provide aid such as food, temporary accommodation and other essentials to those affected," he added.
It was reported that a family of five, including two children, from Kampung Din Bamboo in Batu Ferringhi near here were trapped inside their home following flash floods this morning.
They were rescued in the nick of time by firefighters.
Their home had been inundated by one-metre deep waters.
Several photos and footages of "teh tarik" coloured rain water gushing down a hill slope in Tanjung Bungah have since found their way onto social media, with users blaming over-development as the reason for the occurrence.
Residents at a high-rise condominium near the slope claimed they heard waterfall-like water gushing near their homes.
Penang Fire and Rescue Department director Saadon Mokhtar said the downpour did not result in any serious landslides.
"However, soil behind a house in Tanjung Bungah caved in and covered the drainage system.
"The Bagan Jermal Fire and Rescue Department responded to that and confirmed flash floods in surrounding areas," he added.
Meanwhile, Penang Island City Council Mayor Datuk Yew Tung Seang said they were monitoring the situation.