GEORGE TOWN: About 200 residents in Sungai Pinang were impacted by floods triggered by torrential rain, as rising waters swiftly inundated their homes early today.

Some of the residents in the neighbourhood were forced to seek shelter in the upper floors of their homes with the assistance of the Civil Defence Force (APM).

Photos shared by local authorities showed knee-high waters inside their low-lying homes and rescue officials assisting the sick and elderly to a higher place.

Residents also tried to save their belongings by placing items on tables and moving their motorcycles to a safe location.

The affected areas include Jalan P. Ramlee and Kampung Masjid.

These locations have historically experienced flooding due to heavy downpours, making residents particularly vulnerable when it rains continuously.

Meanwhile, a resident of Jalan P. Ramlee, Saiful Hazri, 39, said he realised his home was flooded after being contacted by a neighbour.

He said that he, along with six other family members, including elderly individuals, moved their car to higher ground.

"However, two motorcycles couldn't be saved because the water rose so quickly, reaching waist level," he said.

The Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) had issued a thunderstorm warning at 11.45pm yesterday.

A spokesman said checks by the northeast district APM team at 1.40am showed floodwaters had risen and entered several homes in the area.

"Our team assisted residents by relocating them to higher ground within their homes and helping move personal belongings and public vehicles to safer locations.

"As of 3am, the rain had subsided, and floodwaters were reported to be receding," he said.

No temporary evacuation centre (PPS) was opened, and no injuries have been recorded.

Meanwhile, Northeast District APM Warrant Officer II, Sergeant Major II Muhamad Haidzir Abai Zulkifli Abai, said they received information from the public at 1.35am regarding victims in several affected homes on Jalan P. Ramlee.

Upon arriving at the location with five other members, they found that the water level had already risen to around knee height.

"We located a house occupied by individuals with disabilities and senior citizens before moving them to the upper floor for safety," he said today.

Surrounding areas such as Lorong Kampar, Kampung Dodol, Jalan Perak, Jalan Terengganu, and Jalan Anson were also flooded.

KUALA LUMPUR: The number of flood victims at relief centres (PPS) in Sabah recorded an increase this morning, while in Johor it remained the same as yesterday (April 15).

In Sabah, the number of flood victims increased to 228 people (75 families) from 203 people (67 families) yesterday.

According to the Secretariat of the Sabah Disaster Management Committee, 152 of the victims, involving 54 families, are at a PPS in Beaufort, while the remaining 76 victims ( 21 families) are at a PPS in Keningau.

"Eight villages are still affected by the floods. Six villages are in Beaufort and the other two are in Keningau," it said in a statement.

Meanwhile, in Johor, the number of flood victims in Segamat remained at 56 people involving 17 families.

State Disaster Management Committee chairman Tan Sri Dr Azmi Rohani said 41 of the victims are at the PPS at Balai Raya Kampung Batu Badak, while 15 others, from Kampung Seberang Batu Badak and Kampung Batu 5 Jalan Muar, are at the PPS at Dewan Komuniti Kampung Tasek.

Two locations of Sungai Muar in Segamat, at Jeti Kampung Tekam and Buloh Kasap, are at a warning level, he said in a statement today (April 16). — BERNAMA

SEBERANG PERAI – Kejadian banjir kilat di Lorong Siakap 12, Seberang Jaya di sini pagi tadi dilaporkan tidak melibatkan mangsa namun keadaannya dipantau bagi mengelak sebarang kejadian berlaku.

Pengarah Jabatan Bomba dan Penyelamat Malaysia (JBPM) negeri, Mohamad Shoki Hamzah berkata, pihaknya menerima panggilan berhubung kejadian banjir kilat di lokasi perumahan terbabit kira-kira pukul 2.30 pagi tadi.

Menurutnya, sebaik pasukan di tempat kejadiaan mendapati kejadian banjir kilat berlaku dengan kedalaman air pada paras 0.5 kaki (paras betis).

“Banjir kilat tidak melibatkan mangsa dan tidak memerlukan bantuan orang awam. Operasi tersebut telah ditamatkan dan memastikan tiada lagi kemerbahayaan di lokasi kejadian.

“Keadaan air dilaporkan telah beransur surut pagi tadi,” katanya kepada Kosmo! di sini sebentar tadi.

Terdahulu, Kosmo! Online melaporkan beberapa kawasan sekitar Sungai Pinang di sini turut dilanda banjir kilat awal pagi tadi selepas hujan lebat berterusan lebih dari sejam.

Antara kawasan yang terjejas termasuk Jalan P. Ramlee dan Kampung Masjid, yang menyaksikan limpahan air sehingga memasuki beberapa rumah penduduk. – KOSMO! ONLINE

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Ministry of Public Works has prioritised flood mitigation in the planning and construction of the Pan Borneo Highway to ensure it does not negatively impact the drainage system, the Sabah state assembly was told today.

Assistant Minister Datuk Limus Jury said several measures were taken during the early stages of the project, such as route planning and design, flood simulation and risk assessment, as well as the construction of elevated roads in Beaufort.

“Throughout the construction phase, efforts have been made to minimise flood impact, including the maintenance of both temporary and new drainage systems, as well as improvements to drainage design,” he said.

“In addition, the Sabah Environmental Protection Department has also played a key role, including approving the Environmental Impact Assessment report and overseeing flood simulations conducted before the project was started,” he said.

Limus added that the project contractor is responsible for ensuring that both temporary and new drainage systems remain free from sediment, debris or vegetation, with routine monitoring and maintenance carried out to ensure smooth water flow at all times.

“The project team has also taken the initiative to enhance the original drainage designs along the Pan Borneo Highway boundary, based on current needs and on-site conditions, to improve drainage and reduce the risk of flooding,” he said.