Monday blues: Motorists braving the floodwaters in McNair Street in George Town after the downpour. — CHAN BOON KAI/The Star
GEORGE TOWN: It was a wet Monday here, with several low-lying areas inundated following a two-hour downpour that saw traffic and businesses almost come to a standstill.
Even the scheduled press conference by the Chief Minister yesterday had to be called off when roads leading to Komtar were flooded.
The almost two-hour-long heavy rain and strong winds also caused flash floods along Transfer Road and Macalister Road.
Other places that were affected were Rangoon Road, Ayer Itam Road and Cintra Street.
A photo of a 3m-long python being caught by the public also made its rounds on social media, while an unidentified foreigner, believed to be a tourist, went for a “swim” in the floodwaters in Cintra Street.
Floodwaters rose to ankle-high level but eventually receded around noon.
Social media was abuzz with pictures and videos of the flash flood.
In some parts of Seberang Prai, the roofs of houses were blown away due to the strong winds and heavy rain.
Some 15 trees were uprooted along the road from Sungai Dua to Lubuk Meriam in north Seberang Prai.
At press time yesterday, Seberang Prai City Council and Fire and Rescue Department staff members were working to clear the uprooted trees.
In a statement yesterday, the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) issued a warning that heavy rain coupled with thunderstorms and strong winds would hit several areas in Yan, Kuala Muda, Kulim and Bandar Baharu in Kedah and Penang.
The warning also extended to Kerian, Larut, Matang, Selama, Manjung, Bagan Datuk and Hilir Perak in Perak.
Several areas in Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Melaka and Johor were also affected.
The statement said the warning was issued after an indication of a thunderstorm with a rain intensity of more than 20mm/hour.
The abnormal rainfall could explain why flash floods occurred in such a short time.
Penang Fire and Rescue Department director Saadon Mokhtar said although the rainfall yesterday was abnormal, no relief shelters were opened by the department.
“There are no casualties reported, and we did not receive any requests to relocate flood victims,” he said.
He, however, said the department doesn’t want to take things for granted.
Several teams have been deployed to areas where trees were uprooted to help the local council clear the roads.
