Melaka Seeks Sungai Rambai Flood Mitigation Project To Reduce Flood Risk

JASIN, Dec 31 (Bernama) -- The Melaka state government has applied for federal funding to implement the Sungai Rambai Flood Mitigation Plan (RTB) project as a long-term measure to reduce the risk of recurring floods in the area.

State Senior Executive Councillor for Housing, Local Government, Climate Change and Disaster Management Datuk Rais Yasin said the project, estimated to cost RM300 million, will focus on managing the flow of Sungai Kesang, which contributes to overflow into the Sungai Rambai area during heavy rain.

“In this state, several RTB projects have been implemented and are ongoing, including in Jasin, Merlimau and Sungai Duyong, and these are viewed as necessary for long-term planning for the Sungai Rambai area.

“We hope this can be realised in efforts to address flooding problems in the Sungai Rambai state constituency, which occur frequently, particularly during the northeast monsoon season,” he told reporters after visiting the relief centre at Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Parit Penghulu here today.

Also present was Sungai Rambai assemblyman Datuk Siti Faizah Abdul Azis.

Rais said only the relief centre remains open, housing 36 evacuees from eight families, with the situation reported to be improving as floodwaters have receded and residents have begun cleaning their homes.

He said the flooding was caused by overflow from Sungai Kesang following heavy rain in the Segamat district on Sunday, which brought water into the area on Monday.

“Although there was no heavy rain in Parit Perawas, overflow in the upstream river basin caused the area here to be affected as well,” he said.

He added that the incident highlights the need for better coordination between the Melaka and Johor Departments of Irrigation and Drainage, as Sungai Kesang runs through both states.

Meanwhile, Siti Faizah said a total of 46 drains in the Sungai Rambai state constituency have been classified as rivers and require regular maintenance at least twice a year.

She said six of these drains are located in identified flood-prone areas, namely Kampung Parit Perawas, Parit Penghulu Benteng, Jalan Simen Batu Gajah, Sebatu Laut, Seri Mendapat, and Kampung Seri Benteng Janda Berhias.

“Therefore, we hope the state government will consider increasing the allocation to maintain these drains, which are not only large but also have long watercourses,” she said.

-- BERNAMA