‘Worst floods in living memory’

GEORGE TOWN: Residents in Kampung Binjai in Bayan Lepas have been left reeling from the worst floods that they can remember.

Building manager Mat Pozian Rashid, 48, said the first thing that crossed his mind when he saw his house inundated was to carry his diabetic father Rashid Saidin, 83, to safety.

“It was still raining heavily when I woke up at about 7am.

“I then carried my father to the couch as the waters were rising very fast.

“My carpet, furniture and my laptop have been damaged.

“My priority was to get my father to higher ground to make sure he remained safe. His toes were amputated two years ago, and he can’t walk,” he said.

Come rain or shine: The rising flood waters fail to dampen the spirits of Hasnah Hashim (centre) and her children Riza Nazira Aboo Bakar and Mohd Hasrul Syuhaidi as they continue weaving ketupat casings for the Hari Raya Aidil Adha celebrations at their home in Kampung Sulup Gertak Sanggul, Teluk Kumbar in Penang. — Bernama

Mat Pozian said he had to take the day off to help his family clean the house.

Several nearby places like Bayan Baru, Teluk Kumbar and Bayan Lepas were also badly affected yesterday.

Many workers were reportedly late for work as they faced traffic snarls along the flooded and slippery roads.

Civil servant Lee Boon Heng, who lives in Bayan Baru, was also stranded as he tried to reach his workplace.

“The jam was worse along Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah heading towards the Bayan Lepas Industrial Zone.”

Office worker BT Lim, who stays in Jalan Khaw Sim Bee, said the area was flood prone.

“After a 30-minute downpour, the drains would become blocked and as a result, the water would flow onto the road,” he said.

Flood Mitigation Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow said peninsular Malaysia was in the south-west monsoon phase and was expected to receive rainfall of between 100mm to 200mm in September and October.

“Based on the Drainage and Irrigation Department’s records, rainfall was heavy between 8am and 11am,” he said in a statement.

A rainfall of 68mm was recorded in Sungai Pinang, 52mm in Kolam Sungai Dondang and 68mm in Lorong Batu Lanchang.

The Malaysian Meteorological Department has forecast isolated showers in the morning today and fair weather for the whole of tomorrow.

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Floods and mudslide hit Penang