PAPAR: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Haji Noor announced a RM9 million flood mitigation allocation to solve Kinarut’s longstanding flood woes.
Visiting Kinarut to assess the situation for himself on Monday, Hajiji said the Sungai Kinarut Flood Mitigation Scheme project would be implemented in April this year by the Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID).
“The project is expected to complete within two years and we hope people in Kinarut will no longer have to face difficulties during the rainy season,” he said.
DID Director, Ir Jeffrey Ng Vun Ping told Hajiji that prolonged period of heavy rain would cause the the Sungai Kinarut river banks to burst due to it being narrow and too shallow resulting in shophouses, train station, schools, temple, residential areas and settlements here to be inundated with water.
Jeffrey said incorrectly measured river crossings as well as debris were also found to have obstructed the river water flow.
Kinarut has been hit by floods more frequently and incurring bigger damages each time in the last 10 years.
Under the Flood Mitigation Scheme project, the three-kilometre long Kinarut River would be widened and deepened, while culverts would be constructed and structures would be built to reinforce the riverbanks.
Hajiji was accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister cum Agriculture and Food Industry Minister Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, Special Task Minister Datuk Ariffin Arif, State Secretary Datuk Sr Safar Untong, Assistant Works Minister, Datuk Limus Jury and Kawang Assemblyman Datuk Ghulam Haidar.-pr/BNN
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor being briefed by DID Director Ir Jeffrey Ng and Assistant Director Charles Ng during the visit to Kinarut
