Tuesday, 15 August 2017 | MYT 6:54 PM
Sg Melaka floodgates wide open in preparation for 'unusual' rainfall
BY R.S.N.MURALI
The barrage will be left wide open to deal expected heavy rainfall Tuesday night.
MELAKA: The barrage (floodgates) controlling the flow of water from Sungai Melaka to the Straits of Malacca will be left wide open Tuesday evening as an unusual amount of rain is expected to fall here by midnight.
"The floodgates at Batu Hampar and Durian Tunggal Dam will be also synchronised to function in tandem with the flow when we release the water from Sungai Melaka," Chief Minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron said when interviewed at his office at Seri Negeri here on Tuesday.
Idris said the riverbed would be visible once the water is released.
"The Natural Disaster Committee has been also told to focus on Tehel in Jasin as it been identified as one of the most flood-prone areas in the state," he said.
Idris added that the major floods in Tehel were a recent occurrence and he had asked the relevant authorities to find out the root cause.
He said the state government would also meet with the state Drainage and Irrigation Department and local authorities to find a long-term solution for flash floods.
Idris gave the example of Kota Laksamana, and said a monsoon drain was needed to prevent water levels from rising just after few hours of rain.
"We will be working around the clock from Tuesday to activate contingency and evacuation plans in case the floods worsen," he said.
Floods in Melaka on Tuesday caused 374 individuals to be evacuated to three new relief centres in the Jasin and Alor Gajah districts.
Read more at http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2017/08/15/sg-melaka-floodgates-to-be-left-wide-open-in-preparation-for-unusual-rainfall/#bA5oLAQwggiiR0sE.99
