Heavy rain, high tides cause worst Penang floods since 2008

GEORGE TOWN: Torrential rain wreaked havoc in Penang on Friday, damaging homes, causing massive traffic jams and leaving more than 2,200 residents affected in what has been described by Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng as the worst floods since 2008.

Lim, who visited the flood victims with other state DAP leaders and municipal councillors and officers, said more than 300 families had been affected by the floods.

"The state government will provide food and assistance to the residents," he said.

Jalan P. Ramlee was among the worst hit areas, after heavy rains caused major floods in Penang on Friday.

A downpour, which started at about 4am, coupled with high tides caused several low-lying areas on the island to be inundated with water.

Among the worst hit areas were Jalan P. Ramlee, Jalan Rawang and Sungai Pinang where the water level rose knee-deep.