Wong (centre) and his team of community leaders inspect clearing works at a river blocked by overgrown vegetation and muddy soil.

SIBU (Nov 1): Efforts to identify and clear blocked drains in the Sungai Sadit and Engkilo areas in the West Bank here are in full swing and targeted for completion before the start of the monsoon season, said Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh.

The Bawang Assan assemblyman said doing so would avert flooding in low-lying areas, especially fruit and vegetable farms.

“My team and I, including Kapitan Wong Hua, have been actively surveying the West Bank areas to try and clear as many blocked drains as possible,” he said in a statement.

He expressed gratitude to the relevant government agencies, particularly the Department of Irrigation and Drainage, for their assistance, as well as the Sarawak Premier’s Office for making available minor rural project (MRP) funds.

“All the blocked drains should be cleared before the arrival of the monsoon season in November,” said Wong.