Fatal Floods In Penang Likely Due To Effects Of Typhoon Damrey, Says Penang CM
The floods have claimed the lives of seven people in Penang.
By Nandini Balakrishnan — 06 Nov 2017, 12:09 PM
Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng believes that the massive floods in the state are the effects of the violent Typhoon Damrey in Vietnam, which has killed at least 27 people
The situation in Bertam Indah, Kepala Batas in Penang on 5 November.
Image via Shanaz Fazlie Shahrizal/New Straits TimesTyphoon Damrey struck Vietnam over the weekend and has damaged over 40,000 homes in the country. It is said to be the strongest typhoon to make landfall in Vietnam in 16 years.
"I am made to understand that Penang is experiencing the effects of Typhoon Damrey, which has caused havoc in Vietnam," said Lim, as reported by Free Malaysia Today (FMT).
Lim said that the amount of rainfall in the past day in Penang is equivalent to one and a half months' of rain in the state.
It was reported that Penang recorded its highest ever rainfall - 372mm - at the Pajak Song station in Kepala Batas
This was followed by Central Seberang Perai at 327mm, Northeast (289mm), Southwest (237mm), and South Seberang Perai at 165mm.
"This was an extraordinary rainfall which coupled with the high tide of 2.7 metres beginning 1pm (4 November). Given these conditions, I admit that our drainage systems were unable to contain the water.
"A lot of the drains and rivers are blocked with rubbish, which is one of the common reason why our rivers could not cope," explained State Local Government, Traffic Management, and Flood Mitigation Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow, as reported by FMT.
Chow said that 113 areas in the state are currently affected by the floods.
Meanwhile, Lim said that the Meteorological Department has given a 'red alert' notice for Penang and Kedah
"We are deeply sorry to hear three people have died and we are also sad to hear about the damage caused to properties," said Lim, according to FMT.
He also expressed hopes that employers would be more lenient with employees who are affected by the floods and allow them to clean up their homes and sort everything out.
"All the state's agencies are helping to restore all the affected places to normal, especially secondary schools, to allow students to sit for their SPM exam," he added.