SIBU FLOOD MITIGATION
SIBU: It has been pointed out that the use of Holland as an example on how to handle the flood here is not a suitable comparison.
Holland’s fight is with the sea that surrounds it whereas this town is at the confluence of two major rivers, said Senator Robert Lau.
“There is some element of truth in that statements although I will think that if the sea can be held at bay by the bunds/dykes, pump stations and reservoirs, it will work for low lying areas subject to flood from a big river, like Sibu.”
“I shall choose another example to support the solution to the problem of flooding in Sibu, which lies in building bunds, pump stations and reservoirs. Before that, I would like to point out that this is exactly what DID is doing for Sibu to tackle the flooding issue. DID has carried out major studies before it was implemented in 2008,” he said.
In fact, Lau said a group of experts from China were also engaged to review the plans by DID after being challenged by the late Wong Ho Leng in 2011.
It was no surprise the Chinese experts endorsed the DID plan, he added.
“Phase 4 of the Sibu flood mitigation project is essential for Sibu urban renewal and the redevelopment of the slum of Bukit Assek/Tiong Hua Road. It will tackle the flooding problem in the slum area like what Phase 1 and 2 did for the area covered,” he said.
For about two weeks in July this year, he said the water level of Rajang did not drop by much even during low tide.
This was not because of siltation of the river causing the tide level to be high for that period as alleged, Lau said.
It was because Bakun Dam was releasing water and it coincided with heavy rainfall for that period, he explained.
“The data from DID Office bears this outcome. Now that Bakun is not releasing water and the weather is dry, the water level has gone back to normal. Water from upper river reaches of Rajang continues to flow passing Sibu without causing flooding even though the issue of siltation is still there.
“Dredging does play a role in certain parts of Sibu where the water is stagnated due to drain blockage or river mouth being silted. Rajang Port Authority used to carry out regular dredging work at the mouth of Seduan River at Sungai Merah.
Since the closure of oil depot at Sg Merah, Lau said no dredging work at the river mouth has been done.
Yet, he said the water along Seduan River still finds its way out to Batang Igan without being the cause of flooding for the low-lying areas along the banks of the river.
