DID seeks RM200 mln for Penampang flood mitigation

KOTA KINABALU: A study by the Department of Irrigation and Drainage blamed the lack of monsoon drains and reservoirs as the cause of the major flooding in Penampang, recently.

Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof told press members after he was briefed on the status of the works carried out along Jalan Petagas to Lokawi (Package 1A and Package 1B), as well as the upgrading works on the Jalan Donggongon to Papar intersection Spur Package 1, that the major flood that hit the district a few months ago transpired due to the very heavy rainfall as well as the high tide that occurred simultaneously.

“The water had nowhere to go... so we need to have a reservoir,” he said.

He said the Department of Irrigation and Drainage would be carrying out the necessary works to remedy the situation and had already applied for an allocation of RM200 million from the National Resource and Environment Ministry to carry out the f lood mitigation scheme.

He also said the roadside drainage could not cater for the runoffs.