BENTONG: Deepening the rivers in Janda Baik will be among the immediate measures the Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) will take to overcome the frequent flooding at the popular holiday spot.
Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali said RM400 million has been set aside to begin works to build flood barriers in Bentong as part of the long-term measures to overcome floods in low-lying areas here, including in Janda Baik.
"The short-term measures include deepening the rivers here while long-term efforts include the possibility of building flood reservoir ponds. We will perhaps need to create a flood retention pond to divert the water from flowing downstream.
"When it rained yesterday, water from upstream was flowing swiftly and inundated the low-lying areas," he told reporters after distributing cash aid of RM1,000 each to 160 heads of families affected by the flash floods in Janda Baik.
Zuki said the DID will study the short and long-term measures to help with the flood mitigation efforts.
"It will be of no use if we only resort to short-term measures. The DID will swiftly clean and deepen the silted and shallow rivers.... the rivers are filled with debris and rocks swept away during the floods.
"The flash floods caused by heavy rain which lasted about three hours was totally unexpected and the water receded quickly. However, many houses were affected in the incident," he said.
On the cash aid to the affected families, Zuki said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, who is currently away in the United States on an official visit, had contacted him to visit Janda Baik and immediately distribute the aid.
"We are still looking into the possibility of providing other types of assistance to help flood victims recover. We have yet to receive the accurate amount and will maybe look into providing aid similar to previous flood incidents," he said.
Also present were DID director-general Datuk Dr Md Nasir Md Noh, Pahang police chief Datuk Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf and Pahang Fire and Rescue Department chief Datuk Wan Mohammad Zaidi Wan Isa.
Yesterday, continuous downpour since 3am resulted in water levels at Sungai Sungai Benus, Sungai Sum-Sum and Sungai Cheringin rising rapidly, triggering flash floods in four villages – Kampung Janda Baik, Kampung Sum-Sum, Kampung Cheringin and Kampung Chemperoh.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail was quoted as saying that the floods were triggered by unusually heavy rainfall upstream, which lasted some three hours. Rivers were already inundated by the sludge from last year's December floods in the area.