Flash floods hit Penang as Sungai Pinang bursts its banks

GEORGE TOWN: Scores of people have been left stranded here after Sungai Pinang burst its banks, causing flash floods here.

Several roads including Jalan Perak, Jalan P. Ramlee and Jalan Datuk Keramat were submerged in water.

Electrician Prakash Rao was on Jalan P. Ramlee, when the floods hit, leaving his car half-submerged in water.

"It's over for my car which I bought just five months ago," said the 37-year-old.

He was forced to abandon his vehicle and waded over to the pavement with about 20 others near Terengganu Road.

Cars and motorcycles were forced to stop as the water level began to rise.

The 30-year-old food court at Jalan Perak was submerged in about 30cm of water, which left stall operators fuming.

About 60 houses at Kampung Masjid at Jalan Perak were also affected, with water at knee level.

Trader Abdul Muktar, 50, said the situation was getting from bad to worse.

"The rain is not stopping and we will have to move if the water level continues to rise," said Abdul, the Kampung Masjid village and security committee chairman.

"There is no solution from state authorities and we are so close to the Sungai Pinang," he said.

About 400 people reside in the area.