THE Penang government has approved nearly RM80 million allocation to address flood woes on the Penang mainland, especially for central Seberang Perai district.
State Works, Utilities and Flood Mitigation Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said there are three major flood mitigation projects currently under construction and they are expected to be completed by the middle of next year.
“The cost of the projects at Parit 4 is RM17 million, Parit 5 (RM13.5 million) and Permatang Rawa (RM29 million). They are already 50% complete.
“The mitigation works include building new pump houses, upgrading existing pump houses, and upgrading drains and rivers,” Zairil told a press conference at the Central Seberang Perai Land and District Office in Bukit Mertajam today.
Apart from that, Zairil said there are allocations for two other flood mitigation projects located at Jalan Tembikai and Alma reservoir in Machang Bubok.
“The flood mitigation project at Jalan Tembikai costs RM4 million while the one at the Alma reservoir in Machang Bubok costs about RM10 million.
“These two projects are going to be tendered out at the end of this year,” he added.
He was commenting on the Oct 21 flood after continuous rainfall inundated several areas in Seberang Perai.
Among the affected areas were Jalan Kebun Sireh, Jalan Bukit Minyak, Kampung Teluk, Jalan Tembikai, Lorong Kota Permai 10, Lintang Kota Permai 4, Kampung Permatang Rawa, Lorong Sukun 3 and Taman Amra.
Zairil also mentioned that the frequent flooding at Seberang Perai area was mainly due to the worsening state of siltation at Juru River estuary.
“So, the state government will allocate RM1 million to overcome this problem through the
dredging works at the Juru River estuary.
“It is common sense to dredge the shallow parts to allow a smooth flow of water. When the river is deeper, the water will not overflow easily,” he said.
State Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) director Shukri Muslim cautioned the public to be prepared for a high tide phenomena on Oct 27, 28 and 29.
Meanwhile, Seberang Perai City Council mayor Datuk Rozali Mohamud urged everyone not to throw garbage everywhere because that could contribute to the flash floods.
Also present were Padang Lalang assemblyman Chong Eng, who is also the state executive councillor for Women & Family Development, Gender Inclusiveness & Non-Islamic Religious Affairs, Bukit Mertajam MP Steven Sim Chee Keong, who is also the Deputy Youth and Sports Minister, and Machang Bubuk assemblyman Lee Khai Loon.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Zhi En