State executive councillor in charge of flood mitigation Chow Kon Yeow said this was because the relevant tender process and other studies needed to be carried out first.
“For now, Penang is only able to implement short-term measures, such as clean-up of drains and river log booms,” Chow told reporters at a press conference held by the side of Merican Road here today.
Aside from short-term measures, he said RM351 million worth of flood mitigation projects will be implemented by the state government within the next three years.
“I am too, a man in a hurry. Implementing flood mitigation projects are our top priority.
“However, the flood mitigation projects would only be able to start by the last quarter of the year as it would have to go through the due tender process,” he said.
Chow, who is also Penang DAP chairman, added that “over development” was also not a likely cause of the recent flash floods, as local authorities had ensured strict compliance in construction projects.
“We have made sure all developers comply with erosion and sedimentation plans.
“The federal Drainage and Irrigation Department have also put in place Urban Storm Water Management (MSMA) to ensure developments have proper drains and methods to channel water,” Chow said.
Elaborating on the flood mitigation projects, Chow said 21 such projects were to be carried out across the state, with funds coming from the state, federal and developers’ drainage contribution.
“RM150 million was from the state’s 2017 Budget, RM51.9 million was from the developers’ drainage contribution, and another RM150 million was from the federal government,” Chow said, adding that federal allocation will go to the Sungai Pinang Flood Mitigation Project, that is likely to begin by the end of the year.
Earlier, Chow announced a RM490,000 drainage improvement project at the area along the Merican-Pahang roads.
Back flow from larger drains
The Merican Road area is a low-lying area and is often hit by flash floods.
According to Chow, the flash floods in the Merican Road area was caused by a back flow from larger drains from Sungai Pinang.
He said all drains to the Merican Road and Pahang Road vicinity were connected to the larger monsoon drains in Patani Road and Sungai Pinang.
Chow said the flash floods occurred when the pressure from the larger drains pushed high volume of drain waters back to the Merican Road area.
He said this drainage enlargement would serve as a short-term measure to alleviate high volume of water during heavy spells of rain.
The existing road will also be raised slightly to avoid flooding.
The Penang Island City Council-funded project will improve existing drainage capacity by three times, from 300mm currently to between 600-900mm.
Three roads – Merican Road, Merican Close, Pahang Road — will have their drains upgraded.
A pedestrian walkway will be also built on the top covers of the new drains.
A tender for the project will be called for next month. The project will begin in June and is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
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