IPOH: Several areas in the city have been hit by flash floods following a downpour.

       A check found that the affected areas included Jalan Kamaruddin Isa at Fair Park, Jalan Kuala Kangsar, Jalan Lahat and Taman Cempaka.

       At Fair Park, several cars were believed to be stuck in the middle of the road due to the deluge, with the Fire and Rescue Department being called in to lend its hand.

       State Fire and Rescue Department operations centre officer-in-charge Saiful Rizan Sulaiman said they received a call about the flash flood at about 5pm.

       "The water level was between 0.9m and 1.5m high.

       "About 36 people were found trapped at shops and inside cars along the road," he said, adding that the operation ended at 6.50pm

       "As of 7.30pm, the water has receded," he added.

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       According to a Civil Defence Force spokesman, the flash flood was caused by the swollen nearby river and overflowing drains.

       At Taman Cempaka, the Civil Defence Force spokesman said the flash flood occured after two hours of rain.

       "The water started to recede at about 6.30pm.

       "The water current of the drains there remain strong but deem to be safe," he said.

       At Jalan Kuala Kangsar and Jalan Lahat, the inundated roads caused massive traffic congestion at about 5pm, which was compounded by the rush hour.