Bypass channel from S’wak River to Batang Salak in the pipeline, says DPM Fadillah
KUCHING: The construction of a bypass channel to ease the volume of water from the Sarawak River to Batang Salak is currently in the pipeline, revealed Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.
He said this is part of the flood mitigation project in the state to solve the issue of flash floods, particularly in Kuching.
“In the event of a high tide accompanied by heavy rain upstream, the Sarawak River can be quickly overwhelmed by the volume of water.
“We hope with this channel, the volume of water would be distributed to Batang Salak,” he said when met by reporters at a Chinese New Year 2024 celebration at the SUPP hall in Sungai Tengah, Matang here, yesterday.
He added that these flood mitigation projects in the state
In the event of a high tide accompanied by heavy rain upstream, the Sarawak River can be quickly overwhelmed by the volume of water. We hope with this channel, the volume of water would be distributed to Batang Salak.
— Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, Deputy Prime Minister
would be carried out in phases, depending on the availability of funds.
Fadillah said Sibu had already seen the completion of several pump stations as part of the Sibu Flood Mitigation plan.
“That is why today, we are hearing less and less about flash floods in Sibu,” he said.
Earlier, Fadillah along with his wife Datin Seri Ruziah Mohd Tahir presented ‘angpows’ (cash packets) and other contributions to senior citizens and individuals with disabilities.
In his speech, Fadillah said such programmes would instill and strengthen the harmonious relationships of people of different ethnicities and religions.
He regarded the contribution of angpows and oranges as a symbolic gesture to show love and care among each other.
Also present was Tupong assemblyman Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman.