Sabah floods: Govt to survey damage, identify causes of chronic inundation

 By Olivia Miwil - October 6, 2020 @ 9:17am

Affected villagers at Kampung Rampaian Menggatal leave for the relief centres in Dewan Masyarakat Manggatal. - Photo by Bernama.

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah government will take immediate action to clean up roads affected by flash floods on Monday, said Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin.

"Such action has to be taken, especially at roads where landslides occurred, so connectivity will not be affected.

"If those roads are under the care of concession companies, they must take proactive measures to clear the landslides," he said in a statement.

Several districts in Sabah, such as Penampang, Tuaran, Ranau and Kota Belud, were reported to be inundated after incessant rain yesterday.

Bung, who is also state Works Minister, said he has also asked his department's director and district engineers to survey the damage, including a collapsed bridge at Kampung Melangkap in Kota Belud.

He added that emergency funds will also be used if the infrastructure damage falls under the purview of the department.

"I will also visit several affected areas to check the causes of frequent flash floods.

"The government will also upgrade the irrigation system as one of the measures to overcome flash floods in Kota Kinabalu and areas around it," he said.

Bung added that the existing irrigation system can no longer channel away water, leading to houses in low-lying areas becoming inundated by floodwaters.

Discussions with the Water and Irrigation Department and local government will also be held to address the issues.

Bung said other factors, such as road construction and other development projects, also contribute to flash floods.

"We would like to ask developers and contractors involved in construction projects to build temporary irrigation systems and ensure no blockages."