Coordinated efforts needed to mitigate flash floods, says Simpang Pulai rep

Workers cleaning the outlet of a monsoon drain near a recreational park at Bandar Seri Botani in Perak.

A COMMITTEE headed by the district officer needs to be formed to ensure that flash flood mitigation works are carried out efficiently in Ipoh.

The Ipoh City Council (MBI), Public Works Department (JKR) and Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) need to meet and work together, said Simpang Pulai assemblyman Wong Chai Yi.

She said at the moment it felt like the agencies were working in silos.

“I recently sent a motion to the Perak State Speaker to request for a committee to be formed on town planning and climate change.

“The effects of climate change have been quite extreme lately, and there are areas that are finding it difficult to cope, particularly the occurrences of flash floods,” said Wong.

“It’s no longer just about the respective departments and agencies working on their own to resolve an issue.

“They need to sit down and work together.”

Persistent rain and thunderstorms on June 16 saw several areas in Simpang Pulai flooded.

These included Bandar Seri Botani, Chandan Desa, Kampung Sengat and Jalan Simpang Pulai-Cameron Highlands.

Wong said about 60 houses at Chandan Desa were impacted by flash floods.

She said the housing area was considered a hotspot for flash floods as the drainage system there was no longer able to cope with the amount of rainwater.

“There really needs to be a better plan in place to ensure water in drains can flow smoothly during a downpour.

“It’s the same at Bandar Seri Botani, where the drains will overflow during heavy rain,” she said, adding that three houses and some roads were flooded at Bandar Seri Botani.

“We have proposed for the drainage system to be changed into an open system instead of it being covered.”

Wong also said that the outlet of the drains leading to a water catchment area near a recreational park at Bandar Seri Botani was often blocked with rubbish.

“Just earlier this month, the outlet was cleaned but there was rubbish the following day.

“There should be more awareness among the people not to discard their waste indiscriminately,” she said.

On Kampung Sengata, Wong noted that the traditional Malay village had several infrastructure issues.

“Some houses there have drains while others don’t. Some of the drains are too shallow.

“The village needs a better drainage system to divert water into a nearby river,” she said.