KUCHING, Jan 20: Padungan assemblyman Chong Chieng Jen has made what he termed to be an urgent request to the Sarawak River Board (SRB) to open the floodgates of the Sarawak River barrage to discharge excess water from the Sarawak River.
According to Chong, shopkeepers and residents in and around the Main Bazaar and Kuching Central Business District have observed that the water level of the Sarawak River today was exceptionally high.
“Given the regular pattern of heavy downpours in the evenings throughout the last few weeks, the residents and shopkeepers in the area have called up requesting for the Sarawak River Barrage Management team to act quickly so as to avoid possible flooding in the area.
“We hope the Sarawak River Barrage Management team can keep a watchful eye on the water level of the Sarawak River.
“We do not want a repeat of the 2003 and 2004 severe floods in Kuching,” he cautioned in a statement today.
As the Meteorology Department has forewarned the continuous rains for the whole week, Chong said the Sarawak River Barrage Management Board should constantly keep a vigilant lookout to keep the water level low.
“This is so that there is excess capacity to contain more rainwater in case of heavy downpours coinciding with a high tide.
“Do not wait for the floods to occur before acting,” he urged. — DayakDaily
