KUCHING, March 18: Deputy Premier Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian has been urged to direct all local councils including the Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) Sarawak to come up with a flood mitigation masterplan for Kuching.
In stating this, special assistant to Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen, Michael Kong Feng Nian opined it is absolutely crucial for Dr Sim and the Ministry of Public Health, Housing and Local Government, to quickly come up with proper drainage plans to combat the frequent flooding in Kuching without any further delay.
“Today’s rain served as yet another reminder on how pressing the drainage issue in Kuching is.
“Just after a few hours of heavy rain, most parts of Kuching were flooded and traffic had to come to a standstill at places like 3rd Mile and Jalan Penrissen (between 6 Mile and 7 Mile),” he said in a statement today.
Kong said while waiting for DID Sarawak and the local councils to accept their plea to work together in respect of the flooding issues in Kuching, Dr Sim must also order the mobilisation of personnel from local councils to ensure that immediate assistance is rendered to those stranded and who are in need of help.
For instance, he noted, the 3rd Mile underpass was already flooded this morning but the local council failed to put up any warning signs and seal off the road.
“As a result, a lot of motorists were seen reversing their vehicles out of the underpass.
“This is very dangerous especially when there is poor road visibility. There is even a viraled photograph of a white motor vehicle being stuck in this flooded underpass,” he added.
He pointed out that in Stapok, there were sections where the road was flooded and this created a chaotic traffic situation.
According to him, DAP’s volunteers had to step in and help direct the traffic here in order to ease the congestion.
“With all that is said and done, it is undeniable that there must be long terms plans to address the flooding issues in Kuching.
“We reiterate our stance that is simply inexcusable that local councils like Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) has no flood mitigation master plan in place,” he said. — DayakDaily
