RM800 million in flood mitigation allocations approved for Kelantan

SENAI: The government has approved a RM300 million allocation for a flood mitigation project in the Sungai Golok river basin, and a further RM500 million to deepen and build an embankment along Sungai Kelantan as long-term measures to mitigate floods in the future.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said both projects are expected to be carried out in the next five years, and they will be conducted by the Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) and other agencies.

"Under the 11th Malaysia Plan, the government approved RM300 million for the Sungai Golok basin project. Discussions will be held by the federal and state governments to determine the details of the project (which) will be executed by the DID. "The DID's long-term programme is to ensure that despite heavy rain, (there would be no negative) effects on low-lying areas.

There needs to be long-term measures to reduce the risks that come with the monsoon season in Kelantan," said Zahid after visiting ex-commando Abu Bakar Md Ahmad at his house in Taman Bukit Senang here today.

Zahid said the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) has also been instructed to conduct socio-economic evaluation of damages from the floods, which have affected several states since late last month.

"This initial evaluation by Nadma will help identify the socio-economic impact and allow federal agencies such as the Finance Ministry, the Economic Planning Unit and others, to mobilise efforts to conduct repair works (following the floods)," he said.

The number of Kelantan flood evacuees dropped to 13,449 people from 4,790 families at 36 relief centres as of 9am today, compared to 14,074 from 4,996 families last night. In Terengganu, 2,287 people from 599 families are still at 25 relief centres in six districts as of 9am today.

Selanjutnya di : http://www.nst.com.my/news/2017/01/202312/rm800-million-flood-mitigation-allocations-approved-kelantan?m=1