Airport operator Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd said several mitigation measures had been carried out at Penang airport.

Retained water from the on-site detention tank had been released, to allow faster draining of water from the monsoon drain underneath the kerbside if it were to overflow.

Rain is forecast for the next few days, coinciding with the spring tide which occurs with the full moon today, with a tidal level higher than usual causing water flow into monsoon drains, preventing rain water from receding quickly.

“Malaysia Airports has also been working closely with all the relevent authorities to ensure that the drainage system for the entire area is properly maintained,” it said.

All relevant stakeholders, including the airlines have been informed of the mitigation plan to manage the possibility of flash floods and its impact towards overall operations and customer experience during this period.