GEORGE TOWN: As a high tide phenomenon is expected to impact Penang from Oct 18 to 21, preparations are underway to minimise its effects.
Checks by the New Straits Times at the Esplanade this afternoon revealed that workers from the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) were placing hundreds of sandbags to prevent seawater from flooding the Medan Renong food court in Padang Kota.
During a similar event last month, the food court experienced overflow, forcing traders and customers to scramble to save their belongings.
Several MBPP workers on-site said that they would have 500 sandbags positioned along the walls of Padang Kota Lama, in front of the food court, by 1am tomorrow.
"The objective is to protect the food court after it was flooded last time," one worker explained.
In the days leading up to this event, council workers have also been cleaning drains around George Town to prevent blockages that can lead to flash floods during heavy rain.
A trader at the food court, known only as Teh, expressed confidence in the council's efforts.
"We will operate as usual despite what happened last month. This time, we feel safer with the measures taken to minimise the impact," he told the New Straits Times.
Last week, the Civil Defence Force (APM) identified 124 flood-prone hotspots statewide during the current monsoon transition phase.
APM Penang assistant director (operations sector) Major Kamal Jakariah said that their resources — including 11 light rescue vehicles, 67 boats of various models, seven heavy rescue vehicles, and 14 medical rescue vehicles — are ready for deployment as needed.
Yesterday, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said that the Penang government was on high alert for the monsoon transition phase, which had already caused flooding in several states.
He assured that the state disaster management unit was closely monitoring all forecasts and warnings issued by the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia).