GEORGE TOWN: Penang recorded the highest amount of rainfall ever in the state's history, which contributed to flash floods in several areas in the state today.
State Local Government, Traffic Management and Flood Mitigation Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow said the highest amount of rain was 270mm which was measured earlier today at the Air Itam dam.
"The intensity of the rain for one month poured within four hours, resulting in the floods we see today. The dam also filled up to 91.1 per cent by 12.15pm today compared to 74.6 per cent yesterday.
"Teluk Bahang dam received 180mm of rain today which is really high," he said at a press conference today.
About 100 areas in five districts have been affected by flash floods.
High tide has reportedly occurred since 4am today and by 8am, the wave rose to 2.1m.
Chow also pointed out that the flash floods today was due to the inter-monsoon season and all the 100 areas affected were within the 47 hotspots listed by the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) for the flood mitigation project.
He said the Penang government had yet to begin flood mitigation projects in the hotspot areas.
"The majority of the projects are still at the tender processing stage and the actual works are expected to begin by the fourth quarter of this year.
"But even so, it will take up to three years before it can be completed. Only then we can see the results of the flood mitigation projects.
"The Sungai Pinang Basin Flood Mitigation project is also at the feasibility study stage. We hope the federal agencies can expedite the process so that the project can begin soon," he added.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the landslides which occurred in numerous areas today could be considered as 'real landslides' only if the traffic was seriously impacted.
He said a landslide occurred at the Jalan Empangan Air Itam where joggers usually hike up to the Air Itam dam.
"If that does not impact the traffic flow at the area, then it is not a real landslide, but the one at Air Itam is a real landslide.
"There could be others...I am not sure about Balik Pulau," he said at the same press conference when asked on the severity of today's flash floods.
Chow later pointed out that there were four mini landslides and a sink hole at Taman Tun Sardon here.