SUNGAI BULOH: The government will implement immediate measures to tackle recurring flash floods in Sungai Buloh, including the construction of a RM12mil temporary retention pond, says Human Resource Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan.
The Sungai Buloh MP said the retention pond would serve as a short-term flood mitigation measure pending the completion of the Sungai Buloh and Sungai Damansara flood mitigation projects.
He said the measures were being taken following a directive from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to find immediate solutions to reduce the impact of recurring flash floods in the area.
"The two flood mitigation projects, with a combined federal government allocation of nearly RM700mil, are being implemented in stages and expected to be completed by 2029.
"Phases one and two of the flood mitigation projects are already under way and steps have been taken to address the problem, but it cannot be resolved overnight," he told reporters after accompanying Anwar on a visit to the flood relief centre at the Siantan hall in Kampung Melayu Subang here on Tuesday (Nov 3).
Ramanan said work on the two flood mitigation projects was between 30% and 60% complete, depending on the components involved, with some works undertaken by the Federal government and the remainder by the Selangor government.
He said yesterday's flash floods marked the fourth such incident in the area in about a month, affecting nearly 550 homes and more than 1,000 residents.
"Floodwaters rise and recede quickly, but household belongings are still damaged. That is why we want to minimise such incidents through the flood mitigation projects and temporary measures," he said.
He added that clean-up operations at affected homes began yesterday, while the Social Welfare Department had also provided food, basic necessities and emergency assistance to flood victims. – Bernama
