KUALA LUMPUR, 8 Nov 2017:
Three of the nine water treatment plans operating in Penang – in Tanjung Bungah, Air Terjun and Pulau Tikus – experienced technical break-downs due to floods in the state.
According to the National Water Services Commission (SPAN) two had resumed operations on Nov 6.
The water treatment plant in Sungai Pinang was in the process of recovery but did not adversely affect supply as it was assisted by other plants, and it was expected to fully be operational by Friday – barring a second wave of floods, said SPAN.
SPAN chairman Datuk Liang Teck Meng had visited water treatment and sewerage plants in Penang following the floods in the state since Nov 4.
Meanwhile, a total of 766 students sitting for Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) in Penang had to switch their examination centres following the massive floods in the state.
Penang Education director Shaari Osman said it involved students in three secondary schools which were still inundated.
“It involves SPM candidates in Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Jit Sin moving to Jit Sin High School, SMK Mak Mandin to SMK Seberang Jaya and SMK Datuk Haji Ahmad Said to SMK Desa Murni.
‘However, 153 students of SMK Mak Mandin are expected to return to their school tomorrow as flood waters have receded.”
As for 43 people – comprising tourists and workers – stranded at the summit of Bukit Bendera since Saturday due to the weather havoc in Penang, they have been brought down to safety.
A Penang Fire and Rescue Department helicopter airlifted 31 of the 43 stuck. while the rest made their way down themselves after the funicular train service was stopped for safety reasons.
Timur Laut district police chief ACP Anuar Omar said the 31 victims – comprising women including elderly women and nine children – were airlifted to the Federal Reserve Unit field in Jalan Padang Tembak here with the last of three flights arriving at 2.38pm.
“The rescue operation started at 10am assisted by agencies like the police, Civil Defence Force, Malaysian Armed Forces and Penang Hospital staff with the cooperation of Perbadanan Bukit Bendera.
“We had to enlist the Fire and Rescue Department’s helicopter because the land route was very risky due to landslides and uprooted trees.”
He said the 12 others – comprising seven men and five women – made their way down on foot and arrived at the foothill at 4.30pm.
He said 36 of the victims were members of a fitness club while the rest, workers who lived at the summit of the hill.
“The 36 victims had gone up Bukit Bendera for a religious function on Saturday but were stranded because the funicular railway servicing the hill could not operate due to the severe conditions. They requested for help.
“The stayed at a hotel at the hill top and the other seven were from the families of two workers there. These families sought refuge at the Bukit Bendera police station when they ran out of food and also electricity supply to their homes was lost.
None of the victims suffered any injuries and the hotel provided food to them, he said.
– Bernama