Monsoon response plan activated | The Star

PASIR Gudang City Council (MBPG) has allocated RM600,000 for a flood simulation programme as part of monsoon season preparations.

Pasir Gudang mayor Datuk Asman Shah Abd Rahman said the city council was in the process of appointing a contractor to carry out operations.

“Although we do not have any hotspot or flood-prone areas, the simulation can help us create more sustainable development.

“The simulation surveillance will be done using drones to oversee impact of the flood,” he said, adding that the Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) would also join in the programme.

Asman Shah said the simulation would provide a better perspective on how the city council could prevent flooding aside from controlling the amount of water going into the on-site storm water detention (OSD).

“OSD is a drainage system, that temporarily stores water from downpours, which controls the movement of water and reduces chances of flooding.

“MBPG has also conducted cleanup on all drainage and monsoon drains earlier this year,” said Asman Shah.

Meanwhile, Kulai Municipal Council (MPKu) president Mohd Fahmi Salam said the council has allocated RM1.4mil to upgrade the drainage system in the municipality.

“Some of the locations involved are Kampung Jaya Sepakat, Taman Sri Muhibbah, Jalan Mas Utama, Jalan Cempaka in Kampung Melayu Sedenak, and Jalan Bunga Kertas in Taman Sri Kulai Baru.”

He said the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) also issued a reminder to all local councils in the country to help the district disaster management team prepare for the monsoon season.

“Our utmost priority at the moment is to ensure that all drainage systems and flood retention pools have been upgraded and cleaned,” he said.

Mohd Fahmi added that the council was currently monitoring Sungai Skudai for any pollution in line with the Sungai Skudai Special Area Plan (RKK).

“We will take stern action against any individual or companies proven to have released effluents into the river,” he added.

He said MPKu worked closely with DID and Department of Environment (DOE) on this matter and were hoping to put a stop to future river pollution.