STATE Transport and Infrastructure Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari today announced several key short-term mitigation measures to tackle the recent flash floods at Kampung Naran in Batu Maung.
He said the flash floods at Kampung Naran occurred on Oct 15 from 7.30am to 10am and Oct 16 from 3am to 4am.
Among the measures are setting up three mobile pump houses and removing mud sediment to ensure better water flow inside the construction site of the Kampung Naran pump house here.
According to Zairil, the pump house, which is under the Kampung Naran flood mitigation project, is expected to be completed in 2024.
“We have to admit that due to the ongoing construction of the Kampung Naran pump house, which includes the setting up of a flood wall, a lot of mud was released causing the pumps to be clogged.
“And since we are now in the monsoon period with expected downpours regularly, we hope the short-term measures will be of good assistance to the residents here.
“The flood wall project will be postponed meantime to make way for the Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) to focus on implementing the short-term measures,” Zairil said during a brief press conference at the construction site of the Kampung Naran pump house in Batu Maung today.
Although the entire pump house is expected to be completed in 2024, Zairil said the structures of the pump house are expected to be finalised next month.
“The entire pump house is now 39 per cent completed, while the structures are 89.5 per cent completed,” he added.
Less than 20 families in Kampung Naran were affected by the flash floods.
“We are truly sorry for the unprecedented circumstances the residents were put in.
“The short-term measures, which will help solve the issues in a month, will prove to be vital for the residents.
“Also, we are in the midst of gathering information about the affected families to compensate them for losses incurred during the flash floods,” Zairil said.
Also present during the press conference was state Entrepreneurial Development, Trade and Industry Committee chairman Datuk Abdul Halim Hussain.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud