Buloh Kasap in Segamat was one of the residential areas affected by floods earlier this year. — Filepic
THE number of flood victims in Segamat has dropped by more than half following the state government’s implementation of a flood mitigation plan, says Johor tourism, environment, heritage and culture committee chairman K. Raven Kumar.
It had reduced from 21,158 to 11,040 or by 52% after phase one of the project was completed, said Raven.
“The first phase of the state government’s flood mitigation plan costs about RM172.8mil.
“There are still several areas that continue to be hit by floods such as Kampung Pogoh Tengah, Kampung Bukit Limau Manis, Kampung Sri Rahmat, Kampung Chodan and Kampung Seberang Batu Badak.
“This is due to water overflowing from Sungai Muar.
“However, we believe the situation will improve after completion of the second phase of the flood mitigation plan, which costs RM650mil,” he said at the state assembly sitting in Bangunan Sultan Ismail, Kota Iskandar, Iskandar Puteri.
Raven was responding to a question from N. Saraswati (BN-Kemelah), who wanted to know the state government’s initiatives in reducing the impact of floods in Segamat.
Segamat was the first district in Johor hit by floods at the beginning of this year, causing thousands to seek shelter at temporary relief centres.
On another flood-related matter, Raven said consultants had been appointed by the state Drainage and Irrigation Department (JPS) to carry out an in-depth study to prevent floods from recurring in Pontian district.
The study which started in October last year was 50% complete and expected to be finalised in October this year, said Raven.
“The study is part of our long-term solution to the problem.
“The recommendations will guide us in deciding on the most suitable upgrading projects that can be carried out to improve the river and drainage system.
“Meanwhile, as a short-term solution, JPS is deepening rivers and improving the drainage system from time to time in the district.
“Works at Sungai Air Hitam are expected to be completed by October.
“The last time works were carried out on the river was in 2020,” he said.Raven was responding to a question from Tan Eng Meng (BN-Pekan Nanas) who wanted to know the state government’s efforts in curbing floods in Pontian, especially at Kampung Jasa Sepakat and Kampung Paya Embun.
He said both villages were located near Sungai Air Hitam and Sungai Pontian Besar, which are low-lying areas with high risk of floods.
The state government, through JPS, had also approved an allocation of RM1.65mil for the maintenance of drains in Tangkak.
“Another RM2.207mil was granted to the district under the Johor Five-Year Plan Project.
“Tangkak has also received a development allocation of RM2.395mil from the Federal Government, where RM89,686 is to be used to maintain the reservoir,” said Raven.
This was in response to a question from Ee Chin Lin (PH-Tangkak) who wanted to know allocations that had been given to the Tangkak district for the maintenance of the drainage and irrigation system this year.
