GEORGE TOWN, Oct 29 — The state’s Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) had concluded that the flash flood that hit the Northeast district was due to unsystematic drainage system and continues heavy rain.
In a report by DID today, the continuous three-hour rain from about 4.30pm to 7.30pm had affected some 300 households and traffic gridlock along major roads including Jalan Masjid Negeri, Jalan Thean Teik and several others.
The DID also said that the locations affected were Kampung Dodol, Kampung Makam, Jalan Singgora, Jalan P.Ramlee, Jalan Air Terjun, Jalan Makloom, Jalan Gemas, Jalan Paya Terubong, Jalan Batu Gantung, Jalan Masjid Negeri, Jalan Lumba Kuda, Jalan Thean Teik, Jalan Datuk Keramat and Jalan Terengganu and the affected areas were hotspots located near rivers.
The rain had also caused Sungai Pinang, Sungai Jelutong, Sungai Air Itam Sungai Dondang and Sungai Air Terjun water level to increase from 300mm to 1,200mm causing it to overflow.
“The locations affected had received a high level of rainfall causing the water to flow at a fast rate causing low-lying areas to be flooded,” said the DID in a statement today.
As of 8.30pm, no evacuation was made by any government agency and the Welfare Department was currently on ground to help those in need.
The DID also said that the department was conducting constant observation in development areas around Paya Terubung as it was prone to mud floods.
In the report, the DID had also suggested that the drainage system in every village be upgraded to prevent the same incident from recurring and mitigation work around Jalan Lumba Kuda will be conducted in 2017 to lower the risk of flash floods in the future. — Bernama
