Flood Mitigation Projects In LMS District Expected To Be Ready End Of November

TAIPING, Nov 13 (Bernama) -- Six flood mitigation projects being implemented in the Larut Matang and Selama (LMS) district are expected to be fully completed by the end of this month (November).

Perak Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) director Dr Asnor Muizan Ishak said the RM1.2 million project, funded by a special allocation from the federal government, involves deepening the retention pond and river, as well as constructing flood embankments to reduce the risk of flooding in several high-risk areas.

“The projects also received additional funds, totalling RM400,000, from the state government, bringing the total allocation to RM1.6 million, which will be used to carry out post-flood work following the incident on Oct 23.

“Overall, the field work is now reaching its final stage, and it is a short-term step we are taking to reduce flood risks as recently experienced," he said.

He said this when met after the DID LMS District Flood Emergency Work Site Visit Session here today, which was also attended by the Special Officer to Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, Neow Choo Seong.

Asnor Muizan also advised residents tp maintain the embankment structures and retention ponds that have been built to prevent damage from human activities that could affect the effectiveness of water control functions.

“We urge all parties to play their respective roles in ensuring the cleanliness and smooth flow of water in areas where these mitigation measures have been implemented. Among the main causes of flash floods are blockages due to twigs, debris, and floating materials caught in the water flow areas," he said.

Meanwhile, Neow said the visit was aimed at assessing the progress of DID's project implementation.

He said they have also requested the DID to provide additional studies and applications for medium- and long-term projects so that a more comprehensive solution can be implemented.

“We don't want these temporary measures to be in vain. What's important is the continuity of follow-up projects so that the entire river drainage system can be fully restored and the risk of flooding can be reduced gradually," he also said.

On Oct 24, Neow, while visiting a temporary relief centre (PPS) here, said that an allocation of RM1.2 million had been distributed following Fadillah's visit to Taiping on Oct 3.

-- BERNAMA