Man drowns in drain during Bayan Lepas flood

A man whose car was trapped in flash flood drowned when he alighted from the vehicle and fell into a monsoon drain at Jalan Sungai Ara in Bayan Lepas near here, following a heavy downpour today.

Lim Kean Chuan, 59, was unaware of the drain as it was submerged in the flood waters.

His body was found about 800m from where he was reported to have fallen, about three hours after a team of firemen began a search and rescue operation.

In the incident about 10.30am, the car driven by Lim was said to have been trapped in the flood, causing him to alight from the car and seek higher ground.

“Unfortunately, he was reported to have been unaware there was a monsoon drain in the vicinity as the structure had been completely submerged in the water,” said Bayan Baru Fire and Rescue Station operations officer Rohizad Yusoff.

The body was sent to the Penang Hospital.

Heavy rain since early morning also caused flash flood at several areas in the state, as well as landslide at Taman Lau Geok Swee, Paya Terubong here which left a temple buried on the hillside.

Paya Terubong Fire and Rescue Station chief Poh Leong Boon said the station received an emergency call to inform about the landslide at 8.10am.