Uggah (fourth right), Robert (third right) are seen with DID, Civil Defence Department officials and community leaders during the visit to Kampung Bungey.
DEBAK: Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah has requested that the Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) come up with an estimate to implement the proposed flood mitigation project to overcome the perenniel flood problems in Kampung Lalang, Bungey and Babu here.
Flood is a perenniel problem in the villages during the landas season from December to March each year.
“We must have mitigation measures in place for the people’s benefits in the long run. Although evacuation centres have been set up nobody has been evacuated there so far. Their immediate concern is their roads that have been cut off by flood waters, cutting them off from the outside world,” he told reporters during a visit to Kampung Bungey yesterday.
Betong MP Datuk Robert Lawson Chuat was also present.
Uggah, who is chairman of the State Disaster Management Committee, also said he would bring up the (flood mitigation project) proposal to the attention of Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg for the necessary allocation to be given.
He thanked Betong Division Disaster Management Committee, community leaders and the people for their cooperation in preparation for the flood.
Betong DID officer Bartholomeu Emily Ayu was on hand to brief Uggah on problems faced by people in the three villages.
“The three villages have exprienced floods in March and again now (December). It is estimated that over 600 households are affected by the flood.”
Bartholomeu also said that based on site investigation, the problem was caused by a blocked drain during the construction of SK Datuk Bandar. It also coincided with the king tide.
“Meanders along Sungai Rimbas need to be straigthened to allow flood water to bypass downtown Debak. Hydraulic structures such as penstocks, flap gates and creek closure shall be provided to regulate the flow of river water,” he said.
Bartholomeu also said the existing waterfront must be upgraded as part of the overall mitigation proposal.