Sungai Melaka retention wall to be demolished for better water flow

Melaka government will demolish the retention wall at Sungai Melaka to ensure better water flow, especially during the monsoon season.

State works, transport, public infrastructure and flood mitigation committee chairman Datuk Rahmad Mariman said this would be done as soon as approval was received from the consultant.

“The measure will be implemented by the state Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) to divert water from Sungai Melaka, which previously flowed to the watergate in Klebang. Presently, the water flow is being diverted by the 40m retention wall.

“The wall was built to channel water to farmers in the area,” he said after visiting the retention pond site at the Melaka International Airport (LTAM).

He stressed that tearing down the retention wall was important to prevent floods from continuing to occur in Kampung Morten, Pengkalan Rama and Batu Hampar as the river water rises due to heavy rain.

He assured that the move would not affect supply to the agricultural area as water would continue to be channelled to the farms.

In this regard, Rahmad said stagnant water in several areas of Mendapat in Jasin was because two of the five watergates at Sungai Kesang were damaged.

“The problem arose when the watergates under the supervision of Johor DID were damaged and they could not be opened, slowing down the flow of water to the sea.

“Nonetheless, we are cooperating with Johor DID to resolve the problem,” he said. — Bernama