Baling’s Bailey bridge can’t stand any headwater surge, says ministry

 

This July 8 aerial view shows the Bailey bridge built over the Kupang river in Kampung Iboi, Baling. (Bernama pic)

BALING: The recently erected Bailey bridge over the Kupang river in Kampung Iboi may not be able to withstand a headwater surge that brings along rocks and uprooted trees similar to the July 4 incident, the works ministry said today.

Ministry secretary-general Wan Ahmad Uzir Wan Sulaiman said the bridge would be temporarily closed if the water level rises too high and the flow of water becomes too swift.

Yesterday, a three-hour downpour from 2pm caused the river to rise above the level of the bridge and flow swiftly; it also flooded nearby settlements.

Wan Uzir said a team from the public works department inspected the bridge and found that it was unaffected by the deluge of water. “However, part of the road leading to the bridge had eroded and the bridge had to be closed to allow the road to be repaired,” he said.

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The modular steel bridge was built in Kampung Iboi to replace the original bridge that was washed away in the torrent of water on July 4.

Three people, including a pregnant woman, lost their lives in that incident.

Wan Uzir said the drainage and irrigation department had been deepening the Kupang river over the past week to prevent the river from overflowing into the nearby settlements.

However, the river became shallow again quickly due to the massive amount of silt flowing downstream.

Yesterday, 58 people from 19 families in Kampung Padang Empang were evacuated to a relief centre after their houses were flooded. - FMT