GEORGE TOWN, June 21 — With La Nina expected to arrive soon, many low lying areas across the state will be exposed to flash floods said State Local Government, Traffic Management and Flood Mitigation Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow.
Chow said currently about 10 low lying areas have been identified in each district throughout the state.
He said in the past 12 months, the council has been implementing many flood mitigation projects across the state with some to completed soon and work on some still in progress.
“We have also mitigated the impact of flooding in many areas in Seberang Perai especially in the low lying areas,” he said when contacted by Bernama, here.
Chow also said currently there were special squads from the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) and Seberang Prai Municipal Council (MPSP) to monitor and ensure pump houses are in working order and rubbish traps are cleared to reduce the probability of flash floods.
As for the island, similar measures are being implemented and monitoring would continue at flood prone areas.
Chow added that the current drainage system had a capacity constrain and if there were high intensity rainfall, flash floods would occur and it will be worse if heavy rain is accompanied by high tide.
“We will be monitoring closely the weather forecast and the tide situation as the tide level is an important factor in determining how bad the flash floods would be,” he said.
According to the weather forecast, Penang will be experiencing rain and isolated thunderstorm most of the days throughout this week. — Bernama
