KUCHING: Several flood mitigation projects, worth over RM200 million, have either been completed or in the process of being implemented, in Batu Kawa area, State Legislative Member (SLM) Dr Sim Kui Hian said.
Caption: Deputy Premier Dr Sim Kui Hian says that the flood
management approach now requires more comprehensive planning than before
due to the increase in the amount of rainwater.
The Deputy Premier acknowledged that Batu Kawa area is often affected by floods, but the situation is expected to be fully overcome after all the ongoing mitigation projects are completed.
He said there are four flood mitigation projects being implemented around the area, with some of them having been completed while the rest are still in the implementation stage.
“In the Desa Wira area, for example, the first phase of the project worth about RM20 million has already been completed. The final phase involves a cost of around RM36 million and the contractor has started work,” he said when met by reporters after a visit to the Dewan Stapok Temporary Evacuation Centre (PPS) this morning.
He explained that the projects directly benefit about 4,000 residents in the area.
Apart from the construction of the drainage system, the project also involves the construction of temporary retention ponds to accommodate excess water during heavy rains.
“A total of four dry retention ponds were built in Batu Kawa with a total area of about 16 acres.
“When there is heavy rain and the water rises, these ponds will accommodate the excess water before it is released in a controlled manner,” he explained.
For the final phase of the project, he explained, the construction of a three-kilometre embankment was also carried out since several village areas near the river are at low ground level.
“If the embankment is not built, river water will continue to overflow into the village areas when the water level rises. In addition, three water pumps have also been installed to pump water out of the retention ponds,” he said.
Dr Sim said that the flood management approach now requires more comprehensive planning than before due to the increase in the amount of rainwater.
“In the past, it may have been sufficient to just build drains, but now the amount of water is too large. "If there is no reservoir, the river cannot accommodate the flow of water at one time," he explained.
He expressed his appreciation to Premier Abang Johari Abang Openg for his support in funding the project and Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof who played a role at the federal level in the major flood management project.
According to him, the federal government also approved a project worth RM2.4 billion for the construction of a Sarawak River bypass which will divert about 60 percent of the river's water flow.
"When completed, it is hoped that it will help reduce the risk of flooding in villages along the Sarawak River as well as benefit the surrounding areas including Batu Kawa," he said.
He was optimistic that when all the flood mitigation projects currently being implemented are fully completed, the flooding problem that has plagued the residents of Batu Kawa for so long will be resolved comprehensively.
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