ALOR STAR: Several temporary tents, set up to screen Covid-19 patients at the Kulim Hospital, were hit by flash floods today.
Kedah Health and Local Government Committee chairman Datuk Dr Mohd Hayati Othman said in the 5pm incident, the tents, located in front of the hospital's Emergency and Trauma Department, were inundated within minutes of the heavy rain.
He said based on initial checks, the flooding could be related to the drainage problem at a nearby parking lot.
"Heavy rain today caused water to flow downhill straight from the parking lot to the temporary tents,"
"Previously, Kulim Hospital had requested for expansion works to be done on the drain at the parking lot.
"I have also raised this matter with the related authorities," he said when contacted today.
Dr Mohd Hayati said luckily, hospital staff had immediately moved valuable medical equipment to higher ground.
"I hope the Public Works Department and Health Department can see the urgency in repairing the drain at the parking lot to prevent a recurrence," he said.
Meanwhile, Kedah Health Department director Dr Mohd Fikri Ujang said water had subsided by 6pm.
"No one was injured in the incident and clean up works are underway.
"Once that is done, the area will be reopened and able to accept patients again." he said.