Describing the storm that began last night that lasted till the pre-dawn hours of today as a “major disaster” following the deadly tsunami of December 2004, he said there was a need to find a solution to the problem that had increasingly affected the state of late.

He said a review of standard operating procedures for flood relief efforts needed to be undertaken in view of changing weather patterns and availability of new communications technology.

The former state executive councillor said he had spoken to state Umno chief Zainal Abidin Osman who chairs the Penang Federal Action Council, which oversees federal infrastructure development projects in the state and includes various federal agencies such as the drainage and irrigation department, about the matter.

“I have asked him to set up a special task force to plan for a comprehensive flood mitigation and drainage master plan for the state of Penang,” Teng, who is also state Gerakan chairman, said in a statement.

“This task force should include state agencies dealing with flood matters.”

At least three people were confirmed to have died in the massive floods, while about 1,968 had been moved to flood relief centres.

According to police, two of the deceased were identified as a 75-year-old man in Jalan Perak and an elderly woman at an old folks’ home on Jalan P Ramlee.

Bernama reported that a Bangladeshi man was killed while his friend went missing after a tree fell on their rented house in Jalan Assumption, Butterworth.

The man’s body was sent to the Seberang Jaya Hospital while search efforts were ongoing for his friend who neighbours said was in the house.

When contacted, state health department director Dr Sukumar Mahesan said parts of the Penang Hospital were also under water with 104 patients ordered to be shifted to different wards between 2.30am and 5.30am.

The Meteorological Department had issued a warning at 9.30 last night, saying higher than usual downpour was expected in the early morning and the whole of today.

Earlier today, appearing to be on the verge of tears, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng pleaded for military help to rescue a “critical” Penang.

“The situation is worsening. The winds are strong and the waters have gone up to 12 feet going above most roofs. Relief centres are out of power,” he had said.

“I managed to call Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. I would like to thank him for taking my call at 3.30am.

“He promised to send the armed forces to save Penang. I hope all can be patient as help arrives. Most importantly, take care of yourself and family,” he said nearly breaking into tears at a flood relief centre here.

Zahid has reportedly directed the National Security Council to immediately coordinate with the police and military to assist flood victims.

On Sept 15 this year, large-scale floods had hit many parts of the island, but not as severely as the one experienced overnight today.

The last time Penangites faced a similar state-wide disaster as today was during the tsunami that hit the Indian Ocean and the Andaman Sea on Dec 24, 2004, which claimed 52 lives in Penang and Kedah, and led to over 200 people being injured.

The waves were triggered by an earthquake off Aceh, Indonesia, west of Penang.

Gerakan raises RM100,000, activates flood relief centre

Meanwhile, Gerakan president Mah Siew Keong, in a statement, announced that members of the party’s central committee had raised RM100,000 as flood relief funds.

He said the emergency fund will be sent to the party’s flood relief centre and volunteers in Penang immediately for relief work to help the flood victims.

He also stated that Penang Gerakan has reactivated its flood relief centre, with many volunteers mobilised to help flood victims.

“Party members in the flood-hit state have been instructed to go all out and help flood victims, especially in the worst-hit areas.

“We have mobilised a flood relief team and provided assets and assistance to help people affected by the flood.

“The Meteorological Department has forecast that the bad weather will continue, and so the party will continue to prepare for, respond to, and recover from flood emergency situations,” he added.

Storm-hit Penang reels from floods, landslides, fallen trees