RM25mil allocated for urgent Miri flash flood mitigation

MIRI (Dec 8): Two populated areas of Miri, EcoPark and Taman Tunku will see RM25 million being spent to mitigate the flash flood issues that have seriously affected residents.

The Star reports that the state government will be giving the money for use in urgent flood mitigation projects in the two areas.

Miri Mayor Adam Yii was quoted as saying that the mitigation projects were already being carried out, as they were urgent. The densely populated areas needed extensive drainage realignment. 

“The main focus is to improve the water discharge system.

“There is urgent need to enable better water flow in the council’s drainage system so that a bigger volume of water can be discharged.

“With this, flash floods can be minimised,” he said.

Yii says that the mitigation projects is to be completed prior to the rainy season occuring during January and February.

“Two days ago there were flash floods yet again after several hours of downpour.

“Last year saw many areas that were seldom flood-hit being inundated by severe flash floods, raising alarm bells,” he said.

Federal ministries need to channel additional funds to the state and local councils for implementation of more flood mitigation projects, he said.