Penang gets ready for floods

Special cargo A lorry transporting motorcyclists who were stranded at the Shah Alam Expressway near Hicom Industrial Estate in Shah Alam, after flash floods hit the area due to the non-stop downpour. Heavy rains since Friday have caused rivers to overflow, submerging many urban areas and cutting off major roads, leaving thousands of motorists stranded.— FAIHAN GHANI/The Star

GEORGE TOWN: With Penang not expected to face the full wrath of Typhoon Rai, the state government is still not taking chances after massive floods unexpectedly hit several states in the country.

Penang environment and welfare committee chairman Phee Boon Poh said at least 50 boats and 100 evacuation centres across five districts were ready for any eventualities.

He said NGOs like Penang Buddhist Tzu Chi Merits Society Malaysia, One Hope Charity and Welfare, Community Policing Malaysia (CPM) and other voluntary groups would also step in to oversee the welfare, security and rescue operations.

“We are ready on the ground although Penang is not expected to face the full force of the typhoon and tropical depression.

“We have provided over 50 boats to the voluntary fire fighting squads who can now put the assets to good use if needed,” he said.

“All gazetted flood relief centres can be open should the need arises. The district offices had conducted workshops on the compliance of Covid-19 standard operating procedures in view of Covid-19.

“There are at least 100 evacuation centres across five districts,” he added.

Typhoon Rai hit the Philippines, causing massive destruction and at least a dozen deaths and meteorological reports had said its remnants might bring heavy rains to parts of Malaysia too.

Malaysia Meteorological Department has forecasted that there will be thunderstorms in Kuala Lumpur and in rural areas of Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, Selangor and Negri Sembilan today.

The forecast also predicted rain in Penang and most areas of Kedah from today afternoon until night.

Phee said after experiencing one of the major floods in 2017, the state government has been well-trained in coordinating and handling this kind of situation.

“We urge the people to stay alert and report immediately to the local authorities if there are risks of floods, such as clogging of drainage systems in their area,” he said.

Phee said the Penang government would provide assistance to Selangor where areas such as Klang have been hit hard.

“We will be sending aid in the forms of food supplies, drinking water, boats and volunteer workers to help out with the flood aftermath.

“We will send them boats and volunteer workers will also be there to help with the clean-ups,” he said, adding that several boats from Bukit Mertajam and Sungai Puyu here had been sent to Klang.

He said Penang would also provide assistance to Kelantan which has also been struck by floods.

Penang work, utilities and flood mitigation committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said a total of 12 major flood mitigation projects had been launched, with many of them expected to be completed soon.

He said once all the projects were completed, the incidents of flash floods was expected to reduce drastically.