Project To Solve Kk Flood Problems To Start Next Year Says Jeffrey

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Both sides of the road were inundated by floodwaters at Mile 7, Jalan Tuaran after Kota Kinabalu was hit by several hours of heavy rain last Friday.KOTA KINABALU: The irrigation and drainage department (DID) will begin preliminary work on the flood mitigation project in Kota Kinabalu this year, with construction scheduled to begin next year.
Deputy chief minister Jeffrey Kitingan said the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) approved the project in the 4th rolling plan of the 11th Malaysia Plan.
“The goal of this project in Kota Kinabalu is to improve the drainage system in Basin 8, which includes the Damai and Dah Yeh Villa areas,” he said in a statement.
“Preliminary works, including soil investigation and topographic survey, will be carried out this year. The procurement for this flood mitigation project is scheduled to be carried out next year.”
Kitingan, who is also the state agriculture and fisheries minister, said frequent flooding had been a long-standing issue in Kolombong, Inanam, Likas and the surrounding areas in the state capital.
Therefore, he said, the DID proposed conducting a study to develop a plan for the barrage-pump system, covering two main river catchments with a total area of 50.3sq km covering Likas and Darau.
The system is crucial since much of the area is coastal-bound, low-lying and susceptible to flooding, especially when a rainstorm event coincides with high tide.
Moreover, this mitigation measure is unavoidable due to the rise in sea levels and changes in temporal pattern.
It is high time to explore and start planning for such a mitigation method due to its proven efficiency against flood damage in many urban places, he said.
“As for the Lido area, the DID has appointed a consultant to finalise the design for the flood mitigation project. But, unfortunately, the project has been pushed back, partly due to the movement control order,” Kitingan said.
“However, the procurement for this project could likely be carried out by the end of this year and I expect the construction work to begin by mid-2022.”
A non-stop downpour for several hours here last Friday triggered severe flash floods all over the state capital, inundating main roads and homes including those of a state minister and other state VIPs.
Among those affected was Sabah local government and housing minister Masidi Manjun, whose house is located in Kampung Likas here, about a five-minute drive from the city centre.
Former chief minister Salleh Said Keruak’s house, situated in the same area, was also affected. - FMT

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