Uggah Surveys Flood-prone Areas In Kota Marudu

KOTA MARUDU, Jan 30 (Bernama) -- Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Douglas Uggah Embas visited this northern district of Sabah Friday for a first-hand look at the perennial flood problem here.

While here, Uggah, accompanied by Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili, was briefed on the causes of the floods as well as the flood mitigation plan developed by a consultant appointed by the state Drainage and Irrigation Department.

The floods in Kota Marudu, which often causes the evacuation of over a thousand residents, loss of lives and damages of about RM10 million annually, are due to siltation from upstream rivers as well as uncontrolled land activities.

According to the study, the floods had been recurring due to the absence of regular and effective management of downstream rivers and insufficient dredging work.

The consultant has developed a long-term flood mitigation plan which includes a RM230 million five-year programme that is being proposed to be implemented under the 10th Malaysia Plan.

The proposed measures involve strengthening of riverbanks and widening of rivers as well as installing levees.

There are six rivers in Kota Marudu that flow into the plains from catchment areas, and siltation and overflowing from Sungai Bandau and Sungai Kanarom are among the major causes of the floods.

Uggah, who was accompanied by senior officials, said his ministry would identify long and short-term measures to ease the flood problem.

He also told the consultant to conduct a study on Sungai Kanarom as the flood mitigation study was only conducted on Sungai Bandau.

The study on Sungai Kanarom would cost RM4 million, the consultant informed.

Douglas and Dr Ongkili then took a helicopter ride for an aerial view of the areas and rivers and went by road to flood-prone areas including the Kampung Timbang Batu suspension bridge which was completed last year after the 2009 flood.

The bridge, funded by the National Security Council, was washed away by the flood that occurred two weeks ago.