Dr Rundi (seated, centre) speaking during the press conference. Also with him are Assistant Minister of Rural Electricity Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi (seated left) and Assistant Minister of Water Supply Datuk Liwan Lagang (seated second right), Utilities Ministry permanent secretary Alice Jawan (seated, right) and officers from the Kuching Water Board as well as the Utilities Ministry. – Photo by Rintos Mail
KUCHING: The Bengoh Dam is technically and structurally sound and stable, and not leaking as alleged by Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) to the media recently.
Utilities Minister Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, who gave this assurance, said the design and construction of the dam involved the inputs of experienced international dam specialists from United Kingdom (UK) and China.
“The contractor from China has built more than 200 dams around the world in collaboration with an established local contractor.
“This design and subsequent construction was further reviewed by a peer reviewer who is a world renowned dam specialist from Australia,” he told a press conference at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Complex’s Media Room here today.
Photo handout from PKR Sarawak showing the alleged leaking on the wall of the Bengoh dam.
PKR Puncak Borneo chief Willie Mongin told reporters yesterday that the Bengoh Dam situated at the upper reaches of Sungai Sarawak Kiri was showing signs that it was leaking from the lower part of its downstream face wall.
“Clearly visible were signs on the upstream face of the dam and on the banks of the dammed areas that the water level had receded by about five feet from its normal level.
“On the lower part of the dam’s downstream face, water can be clearly seen leaking from the wall of the dam and water was also gushing out from two diversion outlets from the dam at the lowest part of the downstream face wall,” he had claimed.
Dr Rundi said the recent lowering of the reservoir water level was in accordance with the operation procedures advised by the dam’s consultant.
“It was a planned lowering of the water levels releasing the water through the draw off culvert, and was not caused by any fault or dam leakage.
“As such, the dam’s integrity and safety are not compromised whatsoever,” he stressed, adding that this was confirmed by the dam consultant and their specialist from Halcrow Consultant, UK, during his recent periodic inspection visit to the site in late Oct 2017.
He explained that in the construction of concrete dams, construction, contraction and thermal movement joints are part of the structure.
“Some water flow through these joints is expected. What was seen on site was actually a design contraction joint, and not a ‘crack’ as alleged.
“Some seepages through the joint are expected and the wet patch seen on this area is due to this seepage.”
He also assured that an Emergency Response Plan (ERP) is already in place in accordance with the standard operating procedures for all dams constructed worldwide.
“In the very unlikely event of an emergency situation, the relevant parties, including the downstream residents, would be informed immediately and an evacuation plan triggered.
“Evacuation areas on higher grounds have been designated, and the emergency response plan would be immediately executed.”
He said a dialogue and workshop on the ERP has been organised last year which was participated by all relevant government agencies, the contractor and consultant, the headmen of all the affected villages and the media.
“Routine monitoring of movement of the dam body to ensure its safety has been carried out since the construction stage, and is continuing as part of the dam’s standard operating procedures.