A video on the flooding of the upper train station on Penang Hill went viral since yesterday, giving the impression that the flood was so massive, it could even affect the high hill land.

This invited a barrage of criticisms against the state government for not being able to address the flood problems, which some described as “the worst” in the history of Penang.

However, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng denied that the iconic hill was submerged in water.

He showed the same video at his press conference in Komtar today, where an individual was seen scooping flood water with a pail.

Lim said: “Penang Hill flooded? Impossible. If Penang Hill is flooded, the whole of Penang would be submerged.”

He said there was only water retention in the upper station but trains went on as usual.

But Lim admitted that this year, the flood situation was “extraordinary”, not only in terms of rainfall but the frequency of flash floods.

Penang has experienced about four serious flash floods, where cars were submerged in water and people on the way to school or work were stranded.

Despite the criticisms of overdevelopment, Lim pointed out that floods also happened in areas which had no ongoing development projects.

“Landslides happened in secluded areas like Air Itam and Teluk Bahang, where parts of the land belonged to the federal government, not the state,” said the DAP secretary-general.

“It is difficult to accept but we understand; we are trying our best to do everything possible to handle the situation,” he added.

“We will work with the federal government to address these problems; let's not politicise the flood issue.”

This morning, Penang Federal Action chief Zainal Abidin Osman announced that the federal government had approved RM150 million to Penang for flood mitigation efforts.

The money would be disbursed as part of the second rolling plan under the 2017 11th Malaysia Plan, he added.

The allocation would be divided into two parts - RM25 million to deepen and beautify the rivers and RM125 million for mitigation works in Sungai Pinang and its 10 tributaries.

Zainal, who is Penang Umno chief, said the work will be completed by 2020.

“We know that Penang Drainage and Irrigation Department has asked for RM350 million, we give RM150 million first and see how things go after this,” said Zainal.