DID Perak alert for North East Monsoon

IPOH, Oct 9  -- The State Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) is always alert in facing the possibility of floods with the arrival of the North East Monsoon in early November until January.

Its director Datuk Ir Dr Ahmad Anuar Othman said the issue of flood disaster management had been discussed in a meeting recently chaired by State Secretary, Zainal Azman Abu Seman involving numerous departments and agencies.

‘’Over 100 hydrology stations were installed in several areas in Perak which are known to be flood-prone. We will alert the authorities if the rainfalls are too heavy so that the appropriate steps can be taken.

However, currently, only flash floods are taking place for two to three hours in several areas,’’ he told reporters after checking on landscaping works at the Pinji River by Palazzo Development Sdn Bhd here today.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Anuar praised the initiative of Palazzo Development Sdn Bhd which turned a 708-metre stretch of the Pinji River into a recreational area other than beautifying it and making it unique by planting fruit trees and vegetables. 

‘’Perak has a 9,000-kilometre stretch of rivers and we will definitely not be able to take care of all them. So, it is a much lauded move when a private sector party plays a role by landscaping a stretch of river banks.

‘’We hope more private sector companies will pitch in to spruce up river banks as parks and recreational areas for the local communities and not only merely implement development projects,’’ he added.

-- BERNAMA