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Flood in Penang: who to call, where to see warnings, and what to do after
In a flood emergency, call 999. Where to see official flood and weather warnings, the council lines for fallen trees and landslides, how to stay safe with electricity, and how the RM1,000 flood aid works.
The short version
- Danger to life: call 999. It reaches the police, fire and rescue, health, maritime and civil defence services.
- Warnings: Public InfoBanjir (Department of Irrigation and Drainage) shows river levels and rainfall. METMalaysia issues weather warnings; its hotline is 1-300-22-1638.
- Council lines: MBPP hotline 04-263 7637 or 04-263 7000. MBSP emergency and disaster line, toll free, 24 hours: 1-800-88-6777.
- Water rising at home: switch off the main switch, and call TNB on 15454 to cut the supply.
- Flood aid: register with the Social Welfare Department (JKM) at the relief centre (PPS) and in the MyIBJKM app to receive the RM1,000 Bantuan Wang Ihsan.
Emergencies: 999
The government portal says Malaysia Emergency Response Services (MERS) 999 joins five emergency services on one number: the police, the fire and rescue department, the Ministry of Health, the maritime enforcement agency and the civil defence department (Angkatan Pertahanan Awam).
Source: MyGovernment portal, MERS 999, read 2026-10-14.
Warnings: where to look
| Source | What it shows |
|---|---|
| Public InfoBanjir | "Notifikasi Aras Air dan Hujan Terkini" (latest water level and rainfall notifications), with stations flagged when a level passes the Waspada (alert) mark |
| METMalaysia | Weather forecasts and warnings, including continuous rain and thunderstorm warnings. Hotline 1-300-22-1638 |
In November 2025, Penang's State Secretary said the state was monitoring 20 flood hotspots, that temporary evacuation centres and operations rooms had been activated, and that a multi-agency WhatsApp group would share hourly rainfall and river updates. The report does not say how the public can join it.
Sources: Public InfoBanjir, METMalaysia and Malay Mail, 18 November 2025, read 2026-10-14.
Council lines: fallen trees, landslides, blocked drains
Island (MBPP)
- Hotline: 04-263 7637 or 04-263 7000
- Main line: 04-259 2020
- In May 2024, MBPP said the public could report uprooted trees, landslides and other incidents on its hotline, or by WhatsApp on 016-2004082.
Mainland (MBSP)
- Emergency and disaster line, toll free, 24 hours: 1-800-88-6777
- Complaints call centre, office hours: 04-269 6969
The state's disaster operations room has no published public number.
During a flash flood in October 2025, the southwest district (Daerah Barat Daya) opened its operations room and a hotline, 04-8669033, for residents who needed help. That line was reported for that event only; in danger, call 999.
Sources: MBPP, MBSP, New Straits Times, May 2024 and New Straits Times, October 2025, read 2026-10-14.
Electricity: during and after a flood
TNB's flood safety guidance says:
During a flood
- Do not use electrical appliances. Switch off the main switch.
- If the water level rises, call TNB CareLine on 15454 to disconnect the supply.
- Do not touch appliances or cables in flood water, even if they are insulated. Stay away from poles and TNB equipment in the water.
- If you have solar PV, switch the system off.
- Switch off the main switch before you leave.
After a flood
- Switch off the main switch before cleaning any appliances or wiring.
- Have flooded switches and appliances inspected and tested by an electrical contractor registered with the Energy Commission before you use them again.
- Keep away from fallen poles, loose wires, and tree branches near wiring.
Source: TNB Safety Tips, read 2026-10-14.
Flood aid: Bantuan Wang Ihsan (BWI)
In November 2025, the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) said:
- Flood-hit households should register with JKM at the temporary relief centre (pusat pemindahan sementara, PPS) and complete their details in the MyIBJKM app, so the RM1,000 BWI can be paid to the head of household.
- Registration with JKM at the PPS is the main condition.
- People affected who did not move to a PPS can also receive it, but must still register with JKM and in MyIBJKM.
- Payment is by bank transfer to the account updated in MyIBJKM, or in cash at a Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN) counter for people without an account. You get an SMS telling you which.
Source: Berita RTM, 27 November 2025, read 2026-10-14.
Insurance: is your car covered?
Insurance Info, an industry consumer site, said in 2023 that standard comprehensive car insurance excludes damage caused by flood, landslip and other "convulsions of nature", unless you add Special Perils cover. Check your policy schedule for it before the monsoon. As published in 2023.
Source: Insurance Info, 29 December 2023, read 2026-10-14.
Related
Sources
- MyGovernment portal, Malaysia Emergency Response Services (MERS) 999
- Public InfoBanjir, Jabatan Pengairan dan Saliran
- Jabatan Meteorologi Malaysia (METMalaysia)
- MBSP, home page (contact and emergency lines)
- MBPP, Pengurusan Sisa page (council contact footer)
- New Straits Times, Flash flood, boulder fall reported following heavy downpour on Penang island (May 2024)
- New Straits Times, Heavy rain triggers flash flood in Penang's southwest district (October 2025)
- Malay Mail, Penang on alert for floods, monitors 20 hotspots (18 November 2025)
- Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), Safety Tips (electrical safety during flooding)
- Berita RTM, NADMA gesa penduduk terjejas banjir daftar di PPS, lengkapkan MyIBJKM untuk BWI RM1,000 (27 November 2025)
- Insurance Info, Adding Special Perils cover to your comprehensive insurance (29 December 2023)
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