Govt moots more Smart tunnels, 'Dutch-style reservoir cities' to tackle floods

 

The government has agreed in principle to a suggestion to build more stormwater management and road tunnels (Smart tunnels) in an effort to mitigate future floods.

Another suggestion given a cursory nod was for the government's urban planning to reference China-style 'sponge cities' and Dutch-style 'reservoir cities'.

These were among 17 short term and long-term suggestions given by the Environment and Water Ministry during a government disaster management committee meeting yesterday.

Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob listed the suggestions in brief in a statement today.

A tropical depression triggered devastating flash floods in the Klang Valley and surrounding areas last December.

This was followed by monsoon rains that caused flooding in other states particularly on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia.

According to the list, the proposal is to build more Smart tunnels particularly in high-density urban areas such as Shah Alam.

There is currently one Smart tunnel in Kuala Lumpur. Under normal conditions, the tunnel is open to motorists.

However, when it floods, waters are redirected into the tunnel in order to mitigate a deluge.

Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob

Urban design philosophy

Meanwhile, it was suggested that the government build "resilient" settlement areas like sponge cities in China.

In brief, a sponge city is an urban design philosophy where a city allows for more water to be absorbed into the ground that can be filtered for reuse.

Such cities are supposed to have more green spaces that act as natural water filters, more porous designs for roads and walkways, and even "green" roofs that can hold and filter water before it is released.

As for the Dutch-style "reservoir cities", Ismail Sabri did not elaborate on this.

However, it is believed that this could refer to a growing urban design philosophy in the Netherlands, where cities build facilities such as parking garages and parks, that can act as emergency water retention ponds when a flood occurs.

Opposition MPs in Kuala Lumpur previously alleged that six retention ponds have been alienated for development, which they said could worsen future floods in the capital. The MACC is looking into the allegations.

Meanwhile, other suggestions that the government tentatively agreed to include upgrading, widening, and deepening major rivers, raising the height of flood banks, building more flood barriers, and building dams and sluice gate stations.

Also given cursory agreement was moving high-risk riverside villages to higher ground, managing deforestation, and including flood risk assessments in urban planning approvals.

It was also mooted that the government set up a ‘National Numerical Weather Prediction Centre’, a flood prediction and warning system based on artificial intelligence, as well as a mud flood warning system.

Weather observation stations will also be upgraded.

Short term suggestions included equipping evacuation centres with showers and bathrooms, and stores to keep basic necessities such as tents and mattresses, as well as using school dormitories as shelters.

State governments and local authorities will also be made responsible to ensure that their drainage systems are functioning well. - Mkini