RM92mil to upgrade KL’s flash flood mitigation system

ABOUT RM92mil will be spent to improve the flash flood mitigation system in Kuala Lumpur after thousands were affected by the May 12 incident.

Federal Territories Deputy Min­is­ter Datuk Dr J. Loga Bala Mohan (pic) said the funds would be used to replace old pipes, install water pumps as well as build retention ponds and road div­er­sions.

“This includes RM5mil for an integrated traffic management system to better handle the traffic during flash floods,” he said in reply to a question by Nurul Izzah Anwar (PKR-Lembah Pantai).

He said the May 12 flood was due to “extraordinary rainfall which lasted for two hours” beginning at about 6.45pm.

“A total of 106.5mm of rainfall was recorded in those hours when the usual is 70mm.

“The drains were unable to handle that volume of water,” he added.

Asked by Nurul if Kuala Lumpur City Hall would compensate the 105 owners whose vehicles were damaged in the incident, Loga said it was not responsible for losses suffered due to “an act of god”.

To a question from Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail (PKR-Permatang Pauh), Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said replied that the Government allocated RM792.34mil for 409 projects in Sarawak during the recent state election.

The projects were intended to further develop the Sarawak state, she said.

Azalina said the funds were for improving public infrastructure, such as constructing bridges, upgrading roads, getting water to rural areas and building schools, as well as organising education and community programmes.

Azalina, who is Pengerang MP, said the respective ministries would oversee the projects.