Kpg Lenchar residents breathe sigh of relief with temporary bridge
RAUB: Residents in Kampung Lenchar and the surrounding areas can breathe a sigh of relief as the temporary bridge connecting the village and the nearest Ulu Dong town is being installed to replace the one that collapsed due to flood on Sunday.
The temporary bridge was expected to be ready for use last night.
Senior Minister of Defence Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the installation of the Compact Bailey 200 bridge, measuring 26 metres long and 7.35 metres wide, involved a team of military personnel from the Royal Army Engineers Regiment (RAJD).
“We expect the bridge to be ready for use starting 8pm and the residents need not worry as the bridge can hold a maximum weight of 60 tonnes.
“This bridge will be used until a new and permanent one is built,” he told reporters after inspecting the temporary bridge installation.
Also present was Army chief General Tan Sri Zamrose Mohd Zain.
Ismail Sabri said the Pahang Works Department would start planning for the construction of the permanent bridge next month and the project is expected to be completed this year.
On another development, the senior minister said the Malaysian Armed Forces was in a state of preparedness during this monsoon season and about 5,000 military personnel and various types of assets including boats and helicopters, had been mobilised so far to help the victims in the flood-hit areas.
“We are always prepared, our helicopters are also ready to fly those who are sick to hospital,” he said.
Meanwhile, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Special Functions) Datuk Seri Mohd Redzuan Yusof visited flood evacuees at several relief centres here yesterday.
He told reporters that apart from ensuring sufficient aid and assistance to the flood victims, the government through its various agencies was also focused on the initiatives to help the evacuees get their life back on track after the flood.
“Through this visit, we are also monitoring the affected location and the types of assistance that could be channelled to the victims after the flood,” he said.