Current SOP may be revised to address frequent flash floods — Abg Johari

1
Kampung Tabuan Dayak residents attempt to save a vehicle from the flood waters. — Photo by Chimon Upon

Kampung Tabuan Dayak residents attempt to save a vehicle from the flood waters. — Photo by Chimon Upon

KUCHING: The government will be holding a meeting with representatives of local councils and relevant agencies, as well as experts sometime within the next two weeks to find long-term solutions to the flash flood problem in the city.

“We are looking very seriously into this matter. We will attempt to incorporate ways of reducing occurrences of flash floods in future development projects during this meeting.

“We may have to look into the current SOP (Standard of Procedures) and also approvals of future development projects,” Housing Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg said in a press conference held at Grand Margherita Hotel here yesterday.

The press conference was called following the flash floods that hit several parts of the state capital yesterday, with rainfall recorded at 200mm as at noon in the Kuching South City Council (MBKS) area.

According to Abang Johari, the city’s current drainage system could only hold up to 180mm of rainfall, which was among the main reasons of the flooding yesterday.

“Other areas (in Kuching) recorded rainfall of over 200mm. The present design of the drainage system is not capable of holding so much rainfall; hence the occurrence of the flash floods.

“Another reason that we can pinpoint is the amount of development taking place in Kuching now, where the drainage system is not being taken seriously. Also, the weather has just really been ‘kelam-kabut’ (chaotic),” he said.

Abang Johari was with State Secretary Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohd Morshidi Abdul Ghani, Kuching Resident Shukarmin Chasemon and state Drainage and Irrigation Department director Chok Moi Soon at the press conference.

The state police headquarters at Jalan Badruddin is also not spared.

The state police headquarters at Jalan Badruddin is also not spared.

Damages caused by a landslide following continuous rain at Kampung Pichin resident Henry Silam’s house in Serian.

Damages caused by a landslide following continuous rain at Kampung Pichin resident Henry Silam’s house in Serian.

SGH personnel carry a patient to a higher floor.

SGH personnel carry a patient to a higher floor.