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Flash floods disrupt residents and road users as existing drainage fails to cope with heavy rain.Advertisement
By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Mar 10: The Sarawak Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) has been urged to expedite the RM120.5 million Sungai Maong Kiri flood mitigation project after flash floods inundated Jalan Laksamana Cheng Ho and nearby residential areas.
Special assistant to Bandar Kuching MP Kelvin Yii Lee Wuen, George Lam said several flood-prone locations in Kuching were inundated, with Jalan Laksamana Cheng Ho among the worst affected.
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“The area floods almost every time it rains heavily, causing major disruption to residents and road users,” he said in a statement.
He added that several vehicles stalled after being caught in deep floodwater when drivers were unable to gauge the water level, leading to traffic disruption.
Lam said the stretch of Jalan Laksamana Cheng Ho near the Kuching Buddhist Association frequently experiences flash floods as rainwater cannot be discharged quickly enough through the existing drainage system.
“Clogged drains worsened the situation, forcing traffic police to clear drainage outlets blocked with rubbish and leaves to allow rainwater to flow more efficiently,” he added.
During the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUS) sitting in Dec 2023, Deputy Minister for Housing, Local Government and Public Health Michael Tiang Ming Tee said the RM120.5 million Sungai Maong Kiri flood mitigation project aimed at resolving flash floods in Jalan Laksamana Cheng Ho and surrounding areas was expected to begin in the second quarter of 2025.
However, Lam said the project has yet to be tendered and urged DID to disclose the latest progress while ensuring it proceeds without further delay.
In the meantime, he suggested appointing contractors to carry out routine drain maintenance to improve drainage capacity during heavy rainfall. — DayakDaily
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