THE Federal Government is preparing another massive allocation amounting to at least RM 1 billion to implement mammoth-scale flood mitigation projects in Kuching.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said the RM 1 billion plus package will consist of constructing a huge canal through a part of Kuching district, plus a bridge across the canal and a barrage to control water-volume.
"Another major flood mitigation project will have to be constructed in Kuching to help ease the flood woes.
"These features must be constructed at the same time, so the money needed is huge and the Federal Government is looking at this funding via the Ministry of Economy," he said when visiting a flood evacuation shelter near Kuching.
Fadillah said other areas in Sarawak are also in need of flood mitigation projects too as can be seen by the major flood havoc over the past week.
"Lots of planning and massive allocations are needed.
"The present allocations we have for flood mitigation projects are not enough," he stressed.
He said the construction of the canal and barrage will ease flood problems in Kuching and surrounding districts of Bau and Samarahan.
Sarawak saw floods inundating 14 districts over the past week in this landas season which is as ferocious as the monsoon.
Among the worst affected are Kuching, Serian, Bintulu, Tatau, Bekenu and Miri where a landslide at Kampung Lereng Bukit in Miri city killed five in a family and damaged houses of about 300 villagers.
These villagers have been evacuated into temporary shelters pending further actions to find new homes. – February 2, 2025
