Ten flood mitigation projects to begin

> Costing RM300m, Penang will soon see reduction of hotspots

GEORGE TOWN: Work on all the 10 flood mitigation projects in floodprone hotspots are scheduled to start this year.

State Local Government, Traffic Management and Flood Mitigation committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow ( pix) said the state and federal governments had allocated RM150 million each to overcome flood issues.

He said the nine state-funded projects are in Sungai Permatang Rawa, Padang Lalang, Bukit Tengah, Taman Mangga, Alma and Mak Mandin in the mainland and in Sungai Relau, Taman Iping and Kampung Naran on the island.

“The Sungai Pinang RM150 million flood mitigation project is under federal level,” he told reporters at a press conference.

The floods issue was in the limelight last year after several low-lying areas were inundated during heavy downpours.

Areas in Jalan P. Ramlee, Sungai Pinang and Jalan Masjid Negeri were among those which were badly hit.

Residents in the affected areas were especially furious as the floods hit during the Deepavali festive season.

Chow added the state would strive to solve flood woes in 36 other hotspots in stages.

“These will be tackled through more mitigation projects,” he said, adding funds would be channelled either from state or federal allocations.