The Perak government announces immediate maintenance and long-term upgrades to tackle recurring floods in Kinta, following a severe inundation last week.
IPOH: The Perak state government will implement immediate short-term maintenance measures to address recurring flooding in the Kinta district.
State Infrastructure, Energy, Water and Public Transport Committee chairman Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin said the work includes maintaining flood retention ponds, control pumps and flap gates.
For the long term, the state will proceed with Phase Two of the Sungai Kinta Flood Mitigation Plan and upgrade the Jalan Raja Bridge gate in the Manjoi Cluster.
It will also undertake widening and deepening works along Sungai Pari and enhance village drainage systems.
“The state government remains committed to ensuring public safety is always prioritised,” Mohammad Nizar said in a statement.
He added that all mitigation efforts and infrastructure improvements will be expedited to reduce the risk of recurring incidents.
Mohammad Nizar said rainfall exceeding 80 millimetres was a main cause of the flooding last Monday.
Heavy rain in the upper reaches of Sungai Kinta and Sungai Pari recorded a total rainfall of 83.5mm.
“The heavy downpour caused river levels to surge by more than two metres in less than two hours,” he said.
The Sungai Kinta Water Level Station in Kuala Pari recorded a high of 32.04 metres before receding.
The incident caused Sungai Pari to overflow into low-lying residential areas around Manjoi and Buntong.
Flooding also hit Taman Hock Aun and Jalan Kuala Kangsar, with depths from 0.3 to 0.6 metres.
“Obstruction to water flow at the Jalan Raja Bridge due to its low soffit level was also identified as a contributing factor,” Mohammad Nizar added.