Over 100 homes flooded, cars seen floating in Penang

BUTTERWORTH: More than 100 homes in Penang were flooded after Friday's downpour.

According to the Fire and Rescue Department, the affected areas were 60 houses in Kampung Malaysia and Mak Mandin, Taman Cantek (12), Kampung Sethu (20) and Kampung Permatang Rawa (20).

Floods were also reported in 32 locations which include Jalan Bagan Jermal, Jalan Ong Yi How, Jalan Thamby Kechik, Tingkap Siakap 11, Taman Senangin, Kampung Bagan Jaya, Kampung Simpah, Kampung Perlis, Taman Segemal and the Jalan Nangka flat.

Department spokesman Mohd Azman Hussin said so far, no evacuations were necessary, but firemen were on standby.

The highway exit road from the North-South Expressway leading into Jalan Permatang Pauh in Seberang Jaya have also been closed due to floods.

The morning rush hour has been brought to a standstill by massive floods after a downpour that lasted all night.

The Permata Sports Complex in Paya Terubong inundated.

All main routes to Penang's central business district are cut off by knee-deep to chest-high flood waters from 6am Friday.

In George Town, cars were seen floating at Bandar Baru Air Itam and Paya Terubong.

Firemen were spotted trying to secure several floating cars in Lebuhraya Thean Teik as thousands of residents dare not leave their high-rise homes for work.

A video of pupils at a private school sitting in a classroom with knee-deep muddy water has also begun circulating on social media.

In Tanjung Bungah, six cars were damaged in a landslide at the Kayangan Puri Mutiara Apartment in Medan Fettes.

Mohd Azman said firemen arrived at the scene at 7.30am. 

"We conducted checks on the vehicles and removed fallen trees. No one was trapped," he said.

The work of removing the vehicles is being carried out by the Public Works Department and Penang Island City Council workers.