CJMY
Heavy rain and strong wind caused ceiling leaks in several buildings at Hospital Seberang Jaya in Penang on Saturday night. The leaks came as floods hit Selangor and Perak. Videos showing health workers with umbrellas indoors spread online, Free Malaysia Today reported.
Penang health director Dr Zulhizzam Abdullah told Bernama that no patients were affected. He called it an unexpected event. Zulhizzam said the rain was very heavy, the wind was strong and a large volume of water ran off.
Overall, here is what happened, what the health director said and how the wet weather looks across the country.
What happened on Saturday night
The leaks were reported in several buildings at the hospital in Seberang Jaya. Most of the affected areas were in the older blocks. However, some newer buildings had similar problems, the health director said.
Viral videos showed health workers using umbrellas inside the hospital. Bernama described floors covered in water. Meanwhile, the clips spread quickly on social media after the rain.
The reports did not say how many areas were hit or how long the leaks lasted. They also gave no rainfall figures. Therefore, the full scale of the damage is not yet clear.
The hospital is in Seberang Jaya, on the Penang mainland. The leaks happened on the night of 7 November. Still, the reports did not say whether the rain had stopped by morning.
What the health director said
Zulhizzam said no patients were affected by the incident. He described it as an event that nobody expected. In addition, he said the combination of rain, wind and runoff caused the water to overflow.
The engineering and maintenance management department at Hospital Seberang Jaya is taking steps to address the problem. The reports did not name the repairs. No timeline or cost was given. The reports carried no statement from the Health Ministry or the Chief Minister.
Read more: Rawang-Kuala Selangor road closed after landslide in Gombak
Read more: Johor dams still flagged low while the Klang Valley floods
Read more: RM2.69bil contract awarded for Penang LRT cross-sea extension
Moreover, the reports did not mention any disruption to hospital services. Patients and visitors with appointments should check with the hospital before they travel. Likewise, they should allow extra time if the rain returns.
Ceiling problems at hospitals have drawn attention in recent weeks. Free Malaysia Today noted a ceiling collapse at Hospital Tengku Ampuan Rahimah in Klang about three weeks earlier. The Selangor health department blamed a pipe leak, and no one was hurt.
Wet weather across the country
Heavy rain has hit several states this week. Flash floods hit Puncak Alam homes and UiTM earlier in the week. About 200 families were affected when water entered homes in Saujana Utama.
Selangor has since ordered all development in Puncak Alam to stop while it reviews its flood plans. Drivers and residents in the Klang Valley were also given flash flood advice. As a result, many agencies are on alert for more rain.
The northeast monsoon has set in, and Johor counts 337 flood hotspots. Therefore, more heavy rain and wind can be expected in the coming weeks. Check the forecast before you travel.
In short, the leaks at Hospital Seberang Jaya affected no patients, according to the state health director. Watch for a repair timeline and any word on hospital services.
Navin Kumar Perianen
Sashidaran Gunathevan
Yalinie Mathan
Add comment