FLASH FLOOD: Motorists having to endure the inconveniences of manoeuvring an inundated section of Jalan Matang. — Photo by Chimon Upon
KUCHING: Kuching city needs a drainage masterplan to mitigate flash floods, especially in places such as Matang and Batu Kawa.
In pointing this out yesterday, Wanita PKR vice chief Voon Shiak Ni said many areas, especially residential estates in and around the city, were still prone to flash flood despite the government having implemented a flood mitigation master plan.
“What we are talking about here is a masterplan for a better drainage system, and not the existing masterplan to mitigate flood. The recent flash flood happened due to old and small drains that were never upgraded over the decades.
“It is high time the government constructs bigger drains for many old residential areas so that rain water is better and quickly discharged during downpours or intermittent showers,” she told a news conference in the presence of Wanita PKR chief Zuraida Kamaruddin here.
Voon cautioned that flash flood would continue to occur given that the weatherman had predicted more rainfall in the coming weeks.
Rain had been pouring since last week, and may continue to do so until early next year.
“Even though flash flood does not necessarily cause damage, it certainly has brought about inconvenience to road users because of traffic congestions.”
She opined that flash flood could also be due to rapid development, such as the growing number of housing estates and commercial centres, and either the developers or the authorities failed to see the need for a better drainage system.
Voon said a small drain might be adequate some 30 years ago to meet the needs of 30 households, but the scenario had definitely changed with today’s increased population.
She called on the Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID), local councils, Public Works Department (JKR) and other relevant authorities to come up with a masterplan to solve flash flood issues once and for all.
Meanwhile, Zuraida, who is also Ampang MP, said poor infrastructure planning system was to be blamed for flash floods in the city as well as in Kuantan, Pahang, recently.
“The flood in Pahang marked the first time in history as being due to fast development. This disaster is not natural, but our country never learns. Look at Thailand and other countries where they have a proper system to manage.”