FLASH FLOOD PROBLEM AT SANDAKAN’S SUNGAI ANIB BEING LOOKED INTO

Taren Sunil (left) and other officials during the site visit to the Sungai Anib area earlier this week

SANDAKAN : Members of the Sandakan Municipal Council’s Highway and Public Utilities Committee (HPUC) conducted a site visit to the Sungai Anib area earlier this week to look into problems such as flash floods occurring in the area.

The team headed by chairman Taren Sunil Manoharan also comprised of Bryan Chang, Said Rasul Kallah Khan and Chia Chee On. Joining them were representatives from the Drainage and Irrigation Department led by Henry Chong and Latip Osman.

“We noted that many sections of Sungai Anib have been silted, thus hindering the smooth flow of water. To make matters worse, erosion has also caused further blockage in some sections of the river. This has resulted in flash floods whenever it rains heavily,” said Taren Sunil.

As a temporary measure, the Drainage and Irrigation Department will be helping to clear blockage in the river to ease the flow of water.

Meanwhile, both parties agreed that rubbish traps be put in place to prevent rubbish and other debris from being washed out to the sea.

“We need to clean up Sungai Anib to prevent flash floods. However, we do not intend to disturb the many old trees in the area as they provide natural shade and also make the place look nicer and more in tune with mother nature,” said Taren Sunil.

Members of the HPUC, which is under the Sandakan Municipal Council, have been making visits to many areas in Sandakan to look into problems faced by Sandakan residents.

“Sungai Anib is quite a small river and is in fact more of a stream. It doesn’t take much rubbish or silt to adversely affect its water flow. We may therefore propose widening this waterway in the near future,” said Taren Sunil.

The HPUC members thanked the officers and personnel from the Drainage and Irrigation Department for joining them to look into solutions on how to ease the problems faced by residents in the area.

“This is our first joint effort and HPUC looks forward to more future cooperation with the Drainage and Irrigation Department to help address the woes faced by residents in different areas of Sandakan under our jurisdiction. We plan to jointly visit other areas on a regular basis,” said Taren Sunil.