GEORGE TOWN: The flash floods that inundated 14 areas on the island and affected parts of the mainland yesterday were not related to the Air Itam Dam.
Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) chief executive officer Datuk Jaseni Maidinsa denied that the dam had anything to do with the floods.
"The flash floods that occurred in Paya Terubong valley, Jalan P. Ramlee, Jalan Masjid Negeri and Sungai Pinang yesterday were not related to the Air Itam Dam.
"PBAPP recorded about 135mm of rainfall at the dam yesterday. There was a minimal overflow of 12mm of water at the dam at about 7.10pm.
"Any overflow from the Air Itam Dam will go into Sungai Air Itam only," he said in a statement today.
Jaseni stressed that a 12mm overflow is insufficient to cause widespread floods in George Town, adding that the flash floods occurred before 7.10pm.
He added that heavy rain had caused a landslide near the Kek Lok Si Temple along a stretch of road leading to the Air Itam Dam.
"No one was injured, but debris, including a boulder, caused the road to be temporarily impassable to cars.
"The debris has been cleared by PBAPP, together with the Fire and Rescue Department," Jaseni said.