KUCHING, Nov 5: Kuching South City Council (MBKS) has been urged to urgently look into the deplorable condition of the drainage system around Pending Industrial Estate as flash flooding has become a frequent occurrence even with a quick downpour.
Julian Tan, the special assistant to Chong Chieng Jen, pointed out that maintenance for the drainage was long overdue as the present of excess sediments and debris had become an obstruction for rainwater to run quickly and efficiently.
“This causes flood waters to rise quickly. For example, the drainage along Jalan Kilang. During a typical day, it is already almost filled up due to excess sediments and debris.
“This is due to a chronic lack of maintenance from the authorities such as MBKS and the Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID),” he complained in a statement today.
He claimed that the authorities have yet to respond to an urgent request for clearing on the said drainage to date.
Rising floodwater, he added, was of paramount concern for warehouse operators for it can potentially damage the goods stored inside the warehouse and in turn incurred business losses.
“With the year-end raining season starting, MBKS and the relevant authorities should look into the matter with utmost urgency to ensure smooth business operations.
“The magnitude of rain we experienced yesterday had already caused much distress to some business operators. That’s only the start of the monsoon season. The level of rainfall is expected to increase in the coming months,” he stressed.
Besides causing a flash flood, Tan highlighted that stagnant water also becomes potential breeding sites for disease vectors.
He also noted that both authorities and the public should work together to ensure cleanliness of the drainage system.
“The public needs to play its role by not dumping their garbage, especially industrial waste, into drains while the related authorities should prevent massive flash floods due to clog drains and also to enforce the law on illegal dumping of industrial waste,” he added.
Tan also revealed that Pending assemblywoman Violet Yong Wui Wui will bring up this issue during the upcoming Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting to seek answers on the future planning or upgrading of the decades-old drainage system in the industrial estate.
Meanwhile, Ting Xiang Zhi, special assistant to Bandar Kuching MP Kelvin Yii, has urged the Samarahan City Council to re-pave the section of the road at Stakan Jaya Garden Lorong 1 with asphalt.
“Many parts of the road surface had sunk and were damaged. The situation is worsened with all the stagnant water, thus causing great inconvenience and dangers to road users.
“Local residents hope that the Council, which collects assessment tax, can provide effective and high-quality services, especially to repair bad roads as soon as possible,” he said. – DayakDaily
