Lee (seated centre) shows the location of the second storm drain to be built.
MIRI: The construction of another major storm drain near the Miri airport to the sea is a long term solution to address frequent flooding at Eco Park here.
“The 2km long and about 2.5 m wide storm drain project under Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) has been approved under Sarawak government funding,” Assistant Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Lee Kim Shin disclosed after chairing a meeting with the department, the Public Work Department (JKR), Miri City Council (MCC) and Sarawak River Board Friday afternoon.
“Now it is in the stage of appointing a consultant for the project. This may take until the end of the year before works on the project starts,” said Lee adding the project would require the acquisition of three parcels of private land where one would be used to build a retention pond.
Meanwhile, in view of the coming landas or rainy season, DID have been asked to do drain clearing and cleaning at Eco Park as a temporary measure to reduce and minimise flooding in the low-lying area.
The abnormal rainfalls of 1.58 mm over 12 hours from 12 midnight to 12 noon on August 1 caused floods in low-lying areas namely Eco Park, Taman Tunku, Jalan Bypass, Padang Kerbau, Sungai Rait in Bakam and Lambir National Park.
To reduce and minimise flooding in these low-lying areas the relevant agencies have been instructed to conduct regular clearing and cleaning of the drainage including the river.