Several areas in George Town were hit by flash floods yesterday following hours of continuous rain since 6pm causing traffic congestion lasting for several hours. 

The affected areas included Jalan Transfer, Jalan Gurdwara, Jalan Macalister, Jalan Anson, Jalan Scotland and Jalan Mount Erskine.      

Penang Local Government, Traffic Management and Flood Mitigation Committee chairperson Chow Kon Yeow said water levels were estimated at between 0.3m to 0.9m.     

"Rainfall measured at Bukit Bendera, Batu Lanchang and Sungai Pinang varied between 51.5mm to 71.5mm," he said in a brief text message to the media in George Town yesterday.      

A Bernama check at several roads in George Town found hundreds of motorists stuck bumper to bumper as they navigated the flooded roads with some places experiencing almost knee-high water levels.     

Several motorcyclists were stranded at various locations as the rain continued unabated causing them to seek shelter underneath shophouses or other buildings.      

Penang Gerakan chairperson Teng Chang Yeow in an immediate response criticised the state government for allegedly being boastful of being able to resolve the flood issue.      

He also questioned if over-development and excessive hill cutting was the cause of flooding in some roads in Penang especially during the monsoon season.      

However, as of 11pm the flood waters has yet to recede but no untoward incident was reported so far during the flash floods.      

It was reported last month that the Meteorological Department forecasted the rainy weather would continue throughout many parts of Malaysia for the next few weeks.      

- Bernama