Penang and Kedah floods in Malaysia

The authorities have confirmed that seven people have died, while around 10,000 people were evacuated in Penang and Kedah as the flood in peninsula Malaysia worsened on Monday (Nov 6).

Nearly 80 per cent of Penang is flooded, with several areas inundated by 0.2 to one metre of water as a result of heavy rain and strong winds since Thursday (Nov 2).

A total of 5,845 flood evacuees have been placed at 62 relief centres in Penang on Monday morning, compared with 3,779 people the night before.

A police flood operations room spokesman said more areas were inundated with flood waters on Sunday night, forcing more residents to leave their homes.

With the state still reeling from the unprecedented floods, legislators at the Penang legislative assembly set aside their political differences and approved on Monday an emergency motion on the storm.

State executive councillor Chow Kon Yeow tabled the motion that called on all agencies to improve and review the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) especially in getting information across, mobilising rescue work and channelling assistance to victims effectively.

The motion also called on all relevant agencies to work together to resolve flood issues in the state with the implementation of an overall flood mitigation project while increasing public awareness on the importance of preserving the environment.

Student Mohamad Hakimi Mohd Syed, 17, described the situation as surreal.

“My family lives in Taman Seri Murni (a residential area about 850m from the school) and our home was also inundated by flood waters,” he said.

“It is impossible to fully concentrate on today’s Bahasa Malaysia (Malay language) and Pendidikan Seni (Art) papers — my house is submerged.”

The worsening situation is believed to be caused by the high tide which came in after midnight on Sunday.

Military forces have been deployed to help rescue thousands of displaced people in Penang.

In Alor Star, Kedah, the number of flood evacuees increased to 3,402 people on Monday (Nov 6).

Forty flood relief centres in Kedah state have been open since Friday night (Nov 3).