Flood warning sounds in Batu Ferringhi

GEORGE TOWN: A flood warning siren has been heard in Batu Ferringhi, cautioning residents that Sungai Satu's water level is rising again.

Batu Ferringhi Village Security and Development Committee secretary A. Sugumaran said the siren went off at about 7.30pm on Friday.

He said that this was a flood warning and not for an impending storm.

He added that the high tide in Batu Ferringhi is expected at around 10.30pm and could cause the river to swell again.

Many parts of Penang island were struck by massive flash floods following heavy rain on Friday morning.

The alarm is a public alert system by the state Drainage and Irrigation Department for Sungai Satu, a small river that runs between the Hard Rock Hotel and the Penang Parkroyal.

A flood warning was sounded earlier at 3pm as well. However, no alert was sounded for Friday morning's flood as waters began to rise at 5am when no one was manning the system.

Sugumaran said that the river broke its banks at 7am and flooded Kampung Kubur in 1.5m of swift-moving water.

"It was the first time in the living memory of Batu Ferringhi folk that floodwaters were almost at neck level," he said, adding that the committee had distributed 120 packs of meals as flood relief for the villagers.

Many parts of Penang island were struck by massive flash floods following heavy rain on Friday morning.