PPM GUM-GUM, HPUC AND DID LOOKING INTO FLOOD MITIGATION AT SEVERAL VILLAGES

Flooding in the Gum Gum area, Sandakan

SANDAKAN: Following information received from PPM Gum-Gum about flooding at several villages in the area, a joint team comprising PPM Gum-Gum, Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) officers, Highway and Public Utilities Committee (HPUC), and relevant local authorities visited the affected places to seek solutions to the problem.

“Among the kampungs affected were Kampung Sungai Kapor, Kg. Jaya Bakti, Kg. Mamanjang, Kg. Ulu Dusun and Kg. Pertanian. The villagers told us that the flooding had been quite severe and the flow of the flood water in some places had been very swift.

We advised the villagers to be extra careful especially with regards to their children playing in flood water as it posed a grave danger to anyone caught in the current,” Head of HPUC Taren Sunil Manoharan said.

The officers from  DID closely surveyed and studied the aftermath of the flood at each of the different locations to identify the causes to decide on the next course of action.

“We then had discussions with DID and were informed that one of the main causes of the flooding was that the streams and small rivers in the area were heavily silted.

Many of the culverts were also blocked by debris, thus badly hindering the flow of water out of the respective areas,” said Taren Sunil.DID will be sending in their machinery to dredge the streams and rivers in the area as soon as the situation permitted.

However, they will require the full cooperation of the landowners and residents to be able to do their job properly and effectively.

It was learnt that certain landowners and residents seemed to be reluctant to fully cooperate or agree to the relevant agencies moving into their area to do the necessary clearing and de-silting work and the Gum Gum PPM was asked to help talk to them.

Meanwhile the team also inspected the road junction leading to Beluran. Due to unknown reasons, the street lights that had been installed at the junction have not been functioning.

Sandakan Municipal Council has now taken over the task of rectifying the situation as it is under Gum Gum constituency.“These street lights are important for the safety and convenience of motorists and other road-users.

It is part of the continuous efforts by the Government and local authorities to improve the highways, infrastructure and public utilities to provide better amenities for the rakyat,” said Taren Sunil.