‘Need to have taskforce to tackle flood’
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| Lo Khere Chiang |
KUCHING: A special taskforce comprising all relevant agencies must be formed to manage the state’s annual floods.
In suggesting this, Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) chairman Lo Khere Chiang said the taskforce should be headed by a minister who has the political will to ensure its effectiveness.
“Not a single department is able to solve the perennial flood issue as it would require the cooperation of Drainage and Irrigation Department, the State Planning Authority, Land and Survey Department, Department of Environment Sarawak and all the local councils,” Lo said when met at his Chinese New Year open house yesterday.
Lo, who had earlier visited villagers affected by flash floods, said it was high time for each department to come together and find new ways to tackle the perennial problem.
He noted that floods had gained the attention of more people especially department heads who had come to realise its seriousness and repercussions.
“At the moment, we need to bring politicians to understand the seriousness of this issue and what would happen if it is not solved early and gets out of hand,” said Lo.
He admitted that floods had always been a big issue ever since he became chairman of MPP, adding that flood is a natural disaster which cannot be completely avoided.
He also pointed out that areas with vast development projects were prone to floods and should be given immediate attention before the issue spiralled out of control.
With more future development projects in the pipeline, he said engineers must take pre-emptive measures and plan for drains and irrigation system.
“As a technical person, the possibility of floods is something engineers must look into as there is no way to stop the pace of development,” he added.
Meanwhile, he revealed that around 30 villagers in Padawan area were affected by flash floods due to continuous rain over the past three days.
Among the villages and areas under MPP affected by the flood, he said, were Kampung Rantau Panjang, Batu Kitang Lama, Batu Kitang Baru, Kampung Tengah Sungai, Kampung Sinar Budi Lama and Desa Wira.
He said the affected residents were evacuated to relief centres since Monday and no casualties were reported.
Commenting on the flash floods, he said they were more serious than last year’s which he believed was due the global climate change.
“It (flood) is something that is happening not just in Malaysia but everywhere else such as America, England and Australia. We can even see flood in places which have never experienced it before,” he added.
Touching on the Kuching barrage, he said the water there on Monday exceeded the danger level due to the constant rain and King Tide.
“Hopefully, the rain will not carry on continuously in the next few days. Also, in the next few days when the tide disappears, the problem of flood hopefully will be gone,” he added.
In suggesting this, Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) chairman Lo Khere Chiang said the taskforce should be headed by a minister who has the political will to ensure its effectiveness.
“Not a single department is able to solve the perennial flood issue as it would require the cooperation of Drainage and Irrigation Department, the State Planning Authority, Land and Survey Department, Department of Environment Sarawak and all the local councils,” Lo said when met at his Chinese New Year open house yesterday.
Lo, who had earlier visited villagers affected by flash floods, said it was high time for each department to come together and find new ways to tackle the perennial problem.
He noted that floods had gained the attention of more people especially department heads who had come to realise its seriousness and repercussions.
“At the moment, we need to bring politicians to understand the seriousness of this issue and what would happen if it is not solved early and gets out of hand,” said Lo.
He admitted that floods had always been a big issue ever since he became chairman of MPP, adding that flood is a natural disaster which cannot be completely avoided.
He also pointed out that areas with vast development projects were prone to floods and should be given immediate attention before the issue spiralled out of control.
With more future development projects in the pipeline, he said engineers must take pre-emptive measures and plan for drains and irrigation system.
“As a technical person, the possibility of floods is something engineers must look into as there is no way to stop the pace of development,” he added.
Meanwhile, he revealed that around 30 villagers in Padawan area were affected by flash floods due to continuous rain over the past three days.
Among the villages and areas under MPP affected by the flood, he said, were Kampung Rantau Panjang, Batu Kitang Lama, Batu Kitang Baru, Kampung Tengah Sungai, Kampung Sinar Budi Lama and Desa Wira.
He said the affected residents were evacuated to relief centres since Monday and no casualties were reported.
Commenting on the flash floods, he said they were more serious than last year’s which he believed was due the global climate change.
“It (flood) is something that is happening not just in Malaysia but everywhere else such as America, England and Australia. We can even see flood in places which have never experienced it before,” he added.
Touching on the Kuching barrage, he said the water there on Monday exceeded the danger level due to the constant rain and King Tide.
“Hopefully, the rain will not carry on continuously in the next few days. Also, in the next few days when the tide disappears, the problem of flood hopefully will be gone,” he added.
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