By Ling Hui
KUCHING, Feb 20: Proposals for flood mitigation plans at Tabuan Dayak and other low-lying areas in Kuching that are prone to flash floods are underway.
Kuching South City Council (MBKS) mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng said a proposal especially for Tabuan Dayak area has already been submitted to the Sarawak government for approval.
He said another one for Jalan Laksamana Cheng Ho has already been submitted as well.
In the meantime, a plan to upgrade the drainage at Third Mile Hua Joo Park has been included under the 12th Malaysia Plan (RMK12).
As for other areas such as at Iris Garden, the mayor said a re-evaluation would be required as the drains seem to be falling behind in capacity due to increased water flow.
“One thing that we (MBKS) want to convey to the public is that we see the problems. We have experienced it ourselves too because we went to the ground.
“However, the problems have to be solved one by one and under MBKS jurisdiction, there are approximately a population of 50,000 in Kuching,” he said during his Facebook live streaming session today.
Commenting on the recent flash flood situation in Kuching, Wee said the MBKS had contacted Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) director Datu Chok Moi Soon the next day of the incident and discussed on some analyses.
According to data collected, the total rainfall on the night of the downpour was at 199mm when 60mm is the baseline for flash floods to occur.
“So, that was why a lot of places were affected suddenly. Flash floods are common in low lying areas whenever there is too much rainwater, but the water can go away fast too.
“Nevertheless, whenever there is any natural disaster like the flash floods, we should find out the root cause and identify ways to solve it,” he remarked. —DayakDaily
