MIRI – The urban planning system that Sarawak has in place now cannot cope with major floods, says State Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian.
Dr Sim, who has been slammed by flood victims in southern Sarawak today clarified the challenges faced by the state in rectifying the situation.
He said that data obtained from the Sarawak Drainage and Irrigation Department showed that the torrential rain over the past few days was non-stop and up to 12 hours at a time.
“The present urban development system in Sarawak needs to be renewed, especially with regards to the drainage aspect.
"The unprecedented amount of continuous rain for the past few days has caused huge floods as our drainage systems are not designed to handle such massive volumes of water.
“The situation is made worse by rapid urban development resulting in loss of water-retention ponds.
“The nonstop flow of floodwater has overwhelmed low-lying localities.
“It is important we undertake urban-planning renewal for Sarawak under the next Malaysia Plan,” he said.
The massive floods hit the districts and subdistricts of Kuching, Lundu, Samarahan, Serian, Matang, Petra Jaya, Batu Kawa and Muara Tuang resulting in floods of more than a metre high covering housing and commercial centres.
There was widespread damage to vehicles and properties during the deluge.
Many residents had vented their frustration at Dr Sim and the state government for not doing enough to tackle the flooding problem, which recurs every year.
Meanwhile, all flood victims have returned home from the relief shelters as at 9am this morning.
At the peak of the floods two days ago, almost a 1,000 residents were evacuated from dozens of inundated kampungs and taken to 12 community halls. – The Vibes, February 21, 2021
