IPOH – All pump houses in Perak will have to be installed with an alarm system to give early warning to residents in the vicinity of impending flash floods, said state executive councillor Datuk Mohd Zolkafly Harun.
He said existing pump houses powered by diesel will also have to switch to electricity to make the early warning system more reliable.
"This is important because floods frequently occur at night or in the early morning, when people are asleep. With this warning system, the siren will automatically go off when the water level reaches the danger mark, alerting residents to take the necessary action,” he told Bernama here today.
Zolkafly, who is in charge of infrastructure, energy, water and transport, said unusually heavy rainfall has caused flash floods in several districts in Perak, including Larut, Matang and Selama (LMS), Hilir Perak, Kerian and Kinta.
Asked on floods in Kinta, which affected Kg Seri Kinta in Lahat here, he said the state government has asked for a high-powered pumping system to be built next to the existing pump house within six months.
Zolkafly said he will also discuss with Menteri Besar Incorporated on the possibility of hiring private contractors to excavate sand in Sg Kinta to complement the river-deepening works carried out by the Drainage and Irrigation Department.
"The excavated sand can be put to good use, including for industrial purposes. Deepening the river will help to check floods,” he added.
He said as at 10am today, 246 residents in the districts of LMS, Kerian and Hilir Perak were still sheltering at four flood relief centres. – Bernama, November 21, 2020
