Burst dam caused Baling floods – Kedah pledges action

 

An investigation by the environment ministry has shown that a burst reservoir at a durian plantation had led to the floods in Baling on July 4. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: The Kedah government is to take action following a federal ministry finding that a burst dam at a Musang King durian plantation had caused the floods in Baling this month.

The menteri besar, Sanusi Md Nor, said the state government would work on a solution as soon as possible to prevent a recurrence.

Sanusi said the state forestry department had made plans to plant trees immediately on Gunung Inas, where the durian plantation is located.

Discussions would also be held to decide on what type of trees or crops would be allowed at the site, on Gunung Inas, he said, Bernama reported.

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Environment and water minister Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man had told the Dewan Rakyat earlier today that a study by his ministry had shown that the Baling floods were a result of a ruptured reservoir pool, which caused a headwater surge.

The Dewan Rakyat was also told that the energy and natural resources ministry will lead an investigation into the Baling floods, with the chief secretary to the government, Zuki Ali, heading an investigating team.

Sanusi said the site on Gunung Inas had previously been approved for the planting of a rubber tree variety to be harvested for latex and timber, but was later converted to a Musang King durian estate by the previous state government.

“I had ordered that cover crops (be planted) there two years ago but now it is a question of who to carry out the planting. The company given approval wants to plant durians, but to maintain a forest plantation, it would have to grow TLC (timber latex clone) mixed with only 20% of durians.

“If forest trees are planted (for cover), they cannot be cut down later so there will be no (economic) returns but if you grow durians, the fruit can be sold (for gains).

“If the company feels that a certain crop will not give returns on its investment and decides to pull out, the next question is who will do the planting.”

Discussions would be held with relevant departments, agencies and ministries for a final solution, he said.

Three people died, and more than 800 houses were inundated in the floods on July 4, which affected 12 villages including Kampung Iboi, Kampung Padang Lengkuas, Bukit Hangus and Kampung Pisang. - FMT