Penang plagued by floods again
> Victims at wit’s end, call on authorities to look into their plight
GEORGE TOWN: Torrential rain early yesterday caused houses in Permatang Damar Laut, Batu Maung and several areas on the mainland to be hit by flash floods.
In the Southwest district in Batu Maung, the downpour started at about 3am causing water to rise knee-high in just two hours.
Water which overflowed from drains entered houses causing untold damage to property and household items.
Flood victim Suhaimi Saidin, 37, attributed the situation to the development taking place on the main road.
He said this time the flood was worse as mud water gushed into his house, damaging the furniture.
A frustrated Saidin Ghazali, 35, said the floods had caused sleepless nights and taken a toll on the family.
“Many residents had to move their belongings to safer ground. It is not an easy task,” he added.
Muhd Rashidi Shaharudin, 26, called on the relevant authorities to look into their plight and do the needful to avert another such incident.
Batu Maung assemblyman Datuk Malik Abul Kassim said he will raise the issue with the authorities concerned to prevent another flooding.
Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng hoped the state and federal governments will work together to resolve the flood issue at Batu Maung.
On the mainland, more than 50 houses in several villages in Kepala Batas were inundated early yesterday after four hours of rainfall.
The rain, which started at about 3am, caused Sungai Lahar Endin to overflow into a nearby village causing it to be submerged in about half a metre of water.
One of the worst hit villages was Kampung Lahar Ikan Mati.
“Flooding is a regular phenomenon here but this time it is really bad. Earlier, I had to clean my house after it was flooded, and now I have to do it again as the water is ankle-deep in the house,” said Mohd Sani Harun, 41.
Mohd Sani and his family, however, managed to salvage some belongings.
Another villager Majid Harun, 70, said he had to be on standby every time there was heavy rain as the village would be hit as it is in a low-lying area.
Nafisah Harun, 48, hoped the authorities would look into their plight.
Meanwhile in SEBERANG PERAI, A fivemetre-long reticulated python, which was hiding behind a house during a downpour, was caught by Civil Defence Force (APM) personnel on Monday.
Kepala Batas district APM operations officer Hasli Hashim said the snake, weighing nearly 60kg, was spotted by villagers at about 10.45pm.
It is believed the reptile was searching for food near the bushy area.
Hasli said the python will be handed over to the Department of Wildlife and National Parks later today.