To overcome erosion and flooding, the Drainage and Irrigation Department is constructing a 2.2km long stone embankment, divided into two zones, expected to be completed by 2018.
One section 1.7km long runs by the cliffs along Jalan Woo Saik until Kampung Terengganu Jetty in Pasir Berdamar, while the other section is 500 metres long by Jalan Wah Keng Jooi.
Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid said the project would benefit 247,000 people in the 16.25 square kilometres of the Sungai Perak basin in Hulu Perak.
“Sungai Perak is the second longest river in the Peninsula after Sungai Pahang. The project is not seen as a flood mitigation project alone, because it can also prevent upstream debris from gathering at the estuary,” he said at the ground breaking ceremony for the project at Kampung Terengganu hall today.
Ahmad Zahid said the project would also prevent frequent flooding in Kampung Permatang Pelanduk and the area around Changkat Jong, caused by tides.
Ground level of low-lying Teluk Intan is between 1.6m and 2.5m elevation, substantially lower than the 2.75-metre height of the high tide, which causes constant floods, and erosion and collapse of the river banks.
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar told a press conference that the Federal Government had estimated a cost of about RM39 billion to implement flood mitigation projects across the country. The cost was expected to increase in the next five years.
“We estimate an additional cost of RM340 million will be allocated for the development of the Sungai Perak integrated river basin in Teluk Intan, involving a cost RM250 million, while RM8.5 million will be allocated for Bagan Datoh. This includes a number of small projects costing between RM200,000 and RM1 million which will be implemented for flood mitigation projects,” Wan Junaidi said.
-BERNAMA