Flooding is an annual phenomenon in Malaysia especially after heavy and constant rain brought about by the monsoons. Penang is an island nation, and thus is also vulnerable to a condition known as high tide where the tide can rise as high as 3m on the coastline.
In July, Penangites were hit with a bout of flash floods that forced 1,200 residents to evacuate in the Teluk Bahang area. The flash floods were caused by a combination of heavy rain and high tide overwhelming the drainage system.
As the high tide phenomenon is due to happen again, it is of utmost importance that the drainage system is in the best possible condition.
Therefore, the Penang government has called on the public to play their role in preventing floods by avoiding littering. Drains clogged with litter cannot clear water efficiently, exacerbating the flooding.
Phee Boon Poh, chairman of the State Welfare, Caring Society and Environment Committee says that both Penang Island City Council and Seberang Prai Municipal Council have been hard at work clearing the clogged drains at potential flood areas in view of the current high tide phenomenon.
“We appeal to the public to stop dumping rubbish anywhere they like."
"Let cleanliness be our culture, not only for disaster prevention,” he said at the Malaysian Red Crescent Society (MRCS) fundraising event at the Chai Leng Park multipurpose hall in Prai on Sunday.
Phee also said that the public should contact local councils if they came across uncollected rubbish.
In the event of any flooding due to high tides, 25 volunteer firefighting squads, the MRCS and St John’s Ambulance would be on standby to hep.
Malaysian Civil Defence Force Penang director Pang Ah Lek says that high tide could affect 10 locations in the state, namely Teluk Bahang, Batu Ferringhi, Tanjung Bungah, Teluk Kumbar and Balik Pulau on the island, and Penaga, Pantai Bersih, Teluk Air Tawar, Pulau Aman and Sungai Udang on the mainland.
After this, another round of high tide is expected between Nov 13 and Nov 17.