Cameron floods: Deepening of Sungai Bertam starts next month, says Palanivel

CAMERON HIGHLANDS: The deepening and repairing of banks at Sungai Bertam will begin next month, said Natural Resource and Environment Minister Datuk Seri G Palanivel.

He said the work could begin after the issues and compensation involving 11 lots of individually-owned land in Lembah Bertam, which were inundated by floods in October last year, were settled.

He said it would be implemented via a RM40mil allocation which was approved last year.

"Altough the allocation was approved earlier, it will be implemented after the issues are resolved," he told reporters after inspecting the flooded areas in Lembah Bertam here.

He said work to repair the banks including straightening the river must be implemented to prevent the floods in the area from recurring.

On the RM40mil to improve Tasik Ringlet, Palanivel said he would discuss the matter at the Cabinet meeting next week.

"The water overflowed after heavy rain resulting in the Kampung Baru, Ringlet area being inundated. As such, improvements to the river must be implemented," he said.

On Wednesday, residents along Sungai Bertam were ordered to move out when the water at the Sultan Abu Bakar Dam was released in stages due to the rising water level following heavy rain.

The town of Ringlet was inundated by a flash flood when the water from the nearby river overflowed after an hour of heavy downpour.

Five people were killed and five were injured in the incident.

The floods also affected 203 residents from 47 families in Kampung Baru and Lembah Bertam who were moved to the Ringlet Community Hall. - Bernama