Frequent flash floods in Kuching prompt call for better drainage system

KUCHING (March 10): Several flood-prone areas in the city were hit by flash floods on Tuesday morning following heavy rainfall.

Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii’s special assistant George Lam has urged the Sarawak Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) to implement higher-standard flood mitigation measures and upgrade major drainage systems here.

According to Lam, areas such as Jalan Laksamana Cheng Ho and nearby residential neighbourhoods experience regular flash floods whenever heavy rain occurs, disrupting residents’ daily lives and causing major traffic congestion.

“This morning, several vehicles were caught in deep floodwater and stalled because drivers were unable to estimate the water depth, severely disrupting traffic,” he said.

He noted that while DID is currently carrying out various projects in Kuching, overall progress has been slow.

“Some flood-prone areas have not been included in upgrading projects and the flood mitigation works along the Sungai Maong Kiri that intended to address flooding at Jalan Laksamana Cheng Ho have yet to commence,” he said in a statement on Tuesday.

Lam also highlighted that the area surrounding the Kuching Buddhist Association also experiences frequent flash floods during heavy rain due to lack of proper routine maintenance of drainage systems.

“This morning, traffic police had to clear drainage outlets clogged by rubbish and leaves before rainwater could flow out more efficiently,” he said.

He also pointed out that during the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting in December 2023, the flood mitigation project addressing flash floods at Jalan Laksamana Cheng Ho had yet to be tendered.

“Deputy Minister of Housing, Local Government and Public Health Datuk Dr Peguang Manggil stated in his reply that the RM120.5 million flood mitigation project for Sungai Maong Kiri aimed at addressing flash floods in Jalan Laksamana Cheng Ho and nearby areas would begin in the second quarter of 2025.

“However, the project has yet to be tendered, reflecting inefficiency in its implementation. Such inefficiency in handling issues that directly affect people’s livelihoods and welfare has resulted in residents continuing to suffer during the rainy season.

“This flood mitigation project should have already been underway, yet it has not even reached the tender stage, leaving residents to continue facing flash floods,” he added.

Lam called on DID to immediately disclose the latest progress of the Sungai Maong Kiri flood mitigation project.

“In the meantime, while the project has yet to commence, the department should appoint contractors to carry out routine maintenance of drains to improve the current drainage capacity during heavy rainfall,” he said.