4 Catchment Ponds To Be Built In Ipoh To Reduce Risk Of Flash Floods

Four catchment ponds will be built in the city as one of the mitigation methods to overcome the problem of flash floods, especially during monsoon seasons.

Ipoh Mayor Dato’ Rumaizi Baharin @ Md Daud said the Ipoh City Council (MBI) had already discussed with and sought advice from the Perak Irrigation and Drainage Department (JPS) regarding the pond technology.

Rumaizi also emphasised the importance of the catchment pond, given that there are three main rivers in the city that could lead to flooding if not properly maintained.

“We have started building one reservoir near the army camp in Tambun. It has been dug but is not yet ready, although we expect it to be ready by the end of this year, depending on the situation and the weather.

“That’s one of the strategies of the engineers from MBI, for the catchment pond to play a role by draining water from the river to the pond first, then when the river water recedes we will release it again to avoid flooding.

“So far there is already one, and we want at least two catchment ponds for Sungai Pinji and Sungai Pari.

“We will follow the latest technology according to the advice from JPS on what is best and I also have to discuss with MBI’s engineering department,” he said on Monday.

Rumaizi said this when answering reporters’ questions regarding measures or approaches taken to reduce the risk of flash floods, especially as the country will be entering the monsoon season soon.

Previously, the media reported that Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) planned to build an underground water storage facility, as implemented in developed capitals such as Tokyo, Japan as a measure to overcome flash floods in the long term.

The mayor of Kuala Lumpur, Datuk Seri Mahadi Che Ngah, said that was one of the suggestions highlighted by DBKL as a strategy to manage floods in the capital.

Meanwhile, commenting further on the issue of flash floods in the city, Rumaizi said his side also always takes continuous action by ensuring that drains and rivers are maintained.

He also said that MBI also always cooperates with JPS in addition to conducting negotiations to reduce the risk.

“Every month I will call a meeting to monitor garbage and so on. Including the catchment pond.

“We are consulting with the JPS on whether they can maintain the rivers. Because the drain water will indeed flow into the river. If the river is not controlled, it will still flood,” he said again.

Earlier, Rumaizi attended the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing session between Mysuccess Land Sdn. Bhd. and MBI.

Also present at the event was the Director of Mysuccess Land Sdn. Bhd. Andrew Chan Wai Hoe.

Rumaizi represented MBI in signing the MoU, which focuses on improving the quality of life of Ipoh residents by giving priority to the B40 group to own developed properties.

The 82.53 acres of land owned by the company will accommodate a total of 1,465 units of low and medium cost properties that will benefit the people of Ipoh, especially the B40 group.

by Rosli Mansor