Sixteen, including six children, rescued in Sungai Bakap flash floods

NIBONG TEBAL, Nov 11 — Sixteen people, including six children, from three families were rescued after their homes were inundated by flash floods in Kampung Sethu, Sungai Bakap, here early this morning.

Penang Fire and Rescue Department assistant director of operations John Sagun Francis said continuous heavy rain caused several houses in the area to be flooded about three feet, trapping residents in their homes.

He said the department received an emergency call at 12.40 am and dispatched six firefighters from the Sungai Bakap Fire and Rescue Station to the scene to carry out the rescue operation.

“Firefighters managed to rescue all 16 victims, comprising 10 adults and six children, before handing them over to their relatives who were at the scene.

“Monitoring was also carried out, and the water level was found to be gradually receding. The operation was called off at 2.30 am after the situation was confirmed safe,” he said in a statement today.

John said that in a separate incident at Taman Jawi Jaya, Sungai Jawi, last night, flash floods also hit the area, with water levels estimated at one foot following heavy rain and a rise in the water level of a nearby river.

He said six firefighters from the Nibong Tebal Fire and Rescue Station were deployed to the scene to monitor the situation and ensure the safety of the area, but there was no evacuation.

John said the department also received an emergency call at 1.10 am today regarding a fallen tree in Kampung Changkat, Sungai Jawi, which partially damaged a garage and a Perodua Bezza car.

Eight firefighters from the Nibong Tebal Fire and Rescue Station were deployed to the scene to carry out cutting and clearing work.

“No casualties were reported in the incident, and the operation ended at 3.35 am after the situation was confirmed safe. The site was then handed over to the house owner for further action,” he said. — Bernama