Penang’s Fire and Rescue Department has stepped up patrols and monitoring at flash flood-prone areas statewide after forecasts of rain and thunderstorms until Tuesday, Malay Mail reported.
Its director Mohamad Shoki Hamzah said the extra patrols keep personnel at optimal readiness for any disaster during the Northeast Monsoon.
Monitoring began on Saturday night, the same evening flash floods hit the mainland, when heavy rain from 4.30pm flooded Seberang Jaya, Permatang Rawa, Tanah Liat, Mengkuang Titi and Jalan Baharu in Central Seberang Perai, The Star said. A Civil Defence Force team sent to monitor the district also logged fallen trees and drainage problems in Seberang Jaya, and said the situation was under control.
Rain and thunderstorms are forecast in several parts of the state over the three-day spell, with the heaviest activity in the afternoons and evenings, according to the Meteorological Department’s outlook carried by the New Straits Times.
Monday is expected to be the wettest day, with rain in most areas in the morning, thunderstorms statewide in the afternoon and rain again at night. Tuesday should ease slightly, though thunderstorms and rain stay in the forecast for some coastal areas.
No Level 1 continuous rain warning has been issued for Penang. The weather agency’s active alerts cover selected districts in Kelantan, Terengganu and Sabah.
Patrols involve seven fire and rescue stations on the island and in Seberang Perai, covering low-lying settlements and major river basins. Water levels and flow at every location checked remained under control, Mohamad Shoki said.
In Seberang Perai, crews are watching Sungai Jawi, Sungai Duri, Sungai Junjong and Sungai Kechil, along with Kampung Sethu, Kampung Sepulau, Kampung Sanglang and Kampung Valdor.
Monitoring also covers Lahar Yooi, Labuh Banting, Ayer Itam, Jalan Permatang Rawa, Jalan Betik and Jalan Soo Ban Kheang in Bukit Mertajam. On the island, patrols focus on Teluk Kumbar, Balik Pulau and other hotspots handled by the Lebuh Pantai fire and rescue station.
Last week the department listed 51 high-risk flash flood hotspots statewide, with Seberang Perai Tengah holding the largest share at 18, followed by Barat Daya with 13 and Timur Laut with 10.
Residents in low-lying and flood-prone areas have been advised to follow official weather warnings and avoid high-risk routes during thunderstorms. Anyone needing rescue or evacuation should call the 999 hotline.
Mohamad Shoki said patrols will continue so the department can issue early warnings if water levels change suddenly.
