RM7mil to tackle floods

THE Penang Government has allocated more than RM7mil in its effort to tackle floods in five places on the island.

Penang Agriculture and Agro-based Industries and Flood Mitigation Committee chairman Law Choo Kiang said several flood mitigation projects were expected to start before the next rainy season (in September) to help minimise the risk of flood.

“The state allocated more than RM200,000 for the upgrading of the sewerage system in Kampung Bukit, Bayan Lepas, in April and the project will be managed by the Public Works Department (PWD),” he said.

“The upgrading work, such as replacing the box culvert, is expected to start before September as PWD will have to prepare the tender documents and look into traffic management before starting the project.

“The whole procedure before the project starts will take at least three months,” he told reporters after inspecting the sewerage systems in Jalan Besar, Bayan Lepas, yesterday.

Bayan Lepas PAS coordinator Asnah Hashim said Kampung Bukit often experienced flood during downpour and the problem had been there since it was under the Barisan Nasional administration.

“The land in Kampung Bukit is lower and water flowing from the hill to the village causes flood,” she said.

Kampung Bukit Community Security and Development Committee chairman Akbar Ibra-him said flood would occur after about two hours of heavy rain.

He hoped that with the flood mitigation project in Kampung Bukit, the flood water would be diverted into the nearby Sungai Bayan Lepas.

Law said three other flood mitigation projects were also waiting to start since the allocation was approved.

“One of the projects includes replacing the box culvert with an arch bridge in Jalan Sungai Dua (opposite Universiti Sains Malaysia).

“The box culvert is too small for the huge volume of water to pass through during heavy rain,” he said.

“By replacing it with an arch bridge, more water will be able to go through and this will help prevent flooding,” he said.

Law said upgrading works on drainage system would also be done in Jalan 3 and Jalan 6 in Minden Heights.

“The level of the road is lower, thus this causes flooding in the area during heavy rain.

“Both projects will be managed by Drainage and Irrigation Department,” he added.

Law said the sewerage system in Jalan Berek, Pulau Tikus, would also undergo upgrading works and was expected to start next week.

“The project in Jalan Berek will be managed by the Penang Municipal Council (MPPP).

“An additional budget of RM30,000 was also given to MPPP to de-silt the monsoon drain in Jalan Gurdwara to prevent flooding,” he said. - The Star