No threat of major flood so far

Source : theborneopost.com         Posted on : 13 February 2013

CNY FLOOD: Lower Lanang Road is slightly affected by water from the overflowing Rajang River.

SIBU: Part of Lower Lanang Road is under several inches of water but as of yesterday there is no sign of a big flood here.

Divisional engineer of Department of Irrigation and Drainage, Ting Sing Kwong, confirmed yesterday that the Rajang River had overflowed its banks caused in part by the King Tide.

He said they would closely monitor the situation, saying the current water level would only go down at the weekend.

“As I see it, there is no major flood threat. We are just a bit concerned the rain might worsen the (King Tide) situation.

On Monday, residents of Stabau Road said the flood water was knee-deep; that night, the residents of Lower Lanang Road said the water had encroached onto the road.

They, however, said traffic was not affected because the water was only a few inches high.

Ting said the floodwater at Stabau Road had always been more serious than in other areas because the road was sinking.

But residents in low-lying areas from Hua Kiew Road to Kapor Road were sleeping soundly now. They used to have sleepless nights during heavy downpours for fear of floods that might come like thieves in the night.

“They worry no more of a moderate flood because the flood gates near the central market and Kingwood Hotel are doing their job.

“That leaves only residents of lower Lanang Road, Stabau Road, Kampung Hilir and Apollo Road worried because the flood mitigation plan has not reached these areas.”

Ting said the government was implementing the project in stages.

Meanwhile, Ting said the second phase of the Lanang Road flood mitigation project was progressing from Sarawak Maritime College to Ek Dee Road.

He said the first phase, that included raising the level of Upper Lanang Road up to Maritime College as bunds and flood gates, had been completed.