CM: Clogged rubbish, malfunctioning barrages cause of floods

IMPROPER waste disposal and three malfunctioning barrages (floodgates) were the main causes of flash floods in Melaka on June 12, said Chief Minister Adly Zahari.

“The waste caused the delayed function of the pumps, which are designed to drain away excessive water during heavy rain.

“We need to stop the indiscriminate disposal of garbage into our rivers,” he said after visiting the affected areas and the Sungai Melaka barrage.

Adly said the state government was working on repairing the barrages.

“Melaka currently has four barrages but only one is functioning.

“This impeded the smooth flow of water from Sungai Melaka to the Straits of Malacca with just one barrage functioning.

“We expect to solve the problem after our discussion with Water, Land and Natural Resources Ministry.”

He said the state Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) would undertake a technical evaluation on the system to examine whether its design needed to be altered to improve water flow.

The maintenance and repair works would cost about RM10mil, said Adly, who added that the rainwater measurement on that day was double the normal recordings.

The continuous rain triggered the floods in several low-lying areas in the historic city.

Melaka Tengah Flood Disaster Management chief secretariat Capt (PA) Awang Bohari Awang Ahet said the affected areas were Kampung Enam, Taman Melaka Baru Fasa 2, Taman Limbongan, Taman Merdeka, Taman Malim, Taman Bachang, Taman Lorong Pandan, Taman Jati, Taman Rumpun Bahagia Pulau Kelapa, Taman Bukit Beruang Utama, Jalan Hang Tuah, and Kota Laksamana.

“A total of 68 people from 19 families in Kampung Enam were evacuated from their houses but were allowed to return home after the water receded,” added Awang Bohari.

Meanwhile, state health and anti-drug committee chairman Low Chee Leong warned that the presence of wildlife such as pythons and monitor lizards could still pose risks in the aftermath of the floods.

“Pythons and monitor lizards could be still be in the homes affected by the floods. A few cases of the reptiles entering houses were reported.

“Civil Defence Force personnel managed to capture a python measuring 4m in Taman Merdeka, while other reptiles were chased away by residents,” he said.

Kota Melaka MP Khoo Poay Tiong also rendered aid to the flood victims. He was the first state leader to arrive in the affected areas at 2am on the morning of the floods.