Clogged drains worsen floods

 

By the river: The town of Chukai after the banks of the Kemaman river burst and flooded most areas. — Bernama

SHAH ALAM: Tributaries and a drainage system clogged with rubbish have exacerbated the flood situation that hit the east coast states of Peninsular Malaysia, says Environment and Water Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Dr Zaini Ujang.

He said rubbish and debris such as trees and soil slow the process of floodwater dispersal.

End of the road: A rowboat serves as the only means of crossing this flooded section of a road near Kampung Ketam in Temerloh, Pahang. — Bernama

“When floods occur, floodwaters in some areas recede quickly while others take longer.”

“This is because a lot of garbage clog drains and tributaries, ” he said.

Cleaning up: Restaurant owner Sawiyah Jusof (right), 57, and daughter Siti Munirah Mohd Zulkafli, 25, cleaning the premises of their eatery after floods receded in Tumpat, Kelantan while (below) a motorcyclist rides along a road damaged by floods in Kemaman. — Bernama

“A lot of money is needed to maintain the drainage system. So we really need the cooperation of the community to not throw garbage everywhere because the receding of floodwater will be hampered because of clogged drainage, ” he told reporters after attending the MSU Sungai Damansara National River Trails Project, organised by the Management and Science University (MSU) yesterday.

Also present at the event was MSU president Tan Sri Dr Mohd Shukri Ab Yajid.

Commenting on the programme, Zaini said it was part of activities to support the government’s efforts to create 10,000km of pathways along the riverbanks by 2030 for public recreational use.

He said the purpose of creating the trail route is to encourage people to work together in protecting the environment, especially the rivers, which are a source of the national water supply. — Bernama