LABUAN: The frequent flash floods plaguing the Rancha-Rancha industrial zone here will be a thing of the past, as a long-term solution is already in the pipeline.
Labuan Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) Director Juniaddi Awang Tuah said the local authority Labuan Corporation (LC) and Labuan DID are embarking on effective planning to resolve the frequent occurrence of flash floods in the area and its surroundings.
He said LC has allocated an estimated RM2.5 million to carry out a drainage system project at Jalan Patau-Patau on LC-owned land.
“This project is expected to be carried out this year and we will submit the terms of reference (TOR) to the Labuan Corporation for the appointment of surveyor to conduct a drainage survey,” he said, Wednesday.
Juniaddi said the project is to resolve the flash floods at Rancha-Rancha Darat that is affecting the surrounding areas.
The letter of Proposal for the Implementation of Drainage at Jalan Patau-Patau and Floods Issue at Rancha-Rancha Darat, which was sighted, will start from the traffic light intersection Jalan Patau-Patau up to catchment area of Labuan Corporation.
The letter also requested Labuan DID to consider immediate implementation of the project, owing to the floods issue that has been prolonged.
The Rancha-Rancha industrial zone accommodates oil and gas-related materials and operations.
An industry player, Datuk Seri Patrick Tiong said the Megah Port Management Sdn Bhd’s container depot at Jalan Patau-Patau is frequently submerged in water, as the existing drains were no longer efficient in accommodating running water each time there is heavy rain.
“The occurrence of flash floods in this container depot has been going on for the last three to four years, we hope LC and DID are able to find permanent solutions,” he said.
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