GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government has directed local authorities and departments to ensure the state's drainage system is in order in preparation for the northeast monsoon season.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said a clogged drainage system had been identified as one of the major sources of flash floods in the past.
He said the authorities had also been told to monitor slopes and trim branches.
"We have asked the local councils, the Drainage and Irrigation Department and the Works Department to ensure the drainage system is free from rubbish.
"They have been told to ensure the regular maintenance of the drainage system and rivers.
"We have experienced it in the past, and we should learn from it. All this is part of precautionary measures to minimise the impacts of floods," he told reporters at his office in Komtar here today.
Chow said the people should play their part by not throwing rubbish into drains or rivers.
Large-scale floods caused by continuous heavy rains have been forecast from mid-November.
The Malaysian Meteorological Department said the northeast monsoon would bring continuous heavy rains that could lead to major floods.
Meanwhile, Chow said all the preparations were in place to face any possible flooding.
"We will continue to improve our flood management system, including having a trial run.
"The state executive council members will be briefed by the deputy state secretary.
"For now, we have appointed disaster management focal persons at the district level besides conducting workshops.
"Alternatively, the state Finance Department has approved RM400,000 for the procurement of assets and supplies for disaster management. The allocation will be disbursed to the district offices based on applications," he said, adding that they had received 4,744 units of sponsored tents.
Chow said the state Disaster Management Committee would meet on Sept 29 to discuss this matter further.
The last time Penang experienced major flooding was in September 2017. Described as the "worst flooding in years," it affected tens of thousands of Penangites.
Traffic in most parts of the main roads was paralysed when vehicles were submerged between 0.3m and 0.6m in floodwaters.
Houses in more than 100 locations across the state were inundated by floodwaters, some chest-high.