BINTULU: Continued flooding despite neighbourhood drain upgrades has prompted calls for a comprehensive review of Bintulu’s drainage network to identify weaknesses and provide lasting solutions.
Tanjong Batu incumbent, Johnny Pang Leong Ming, urged the Bintulu Development Authority (BDA) and the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) to intensify inspections in flood-prone areas.
He said these should cover the condition of drains and outlets, drainage capacity, possible blockages, and the effects of high tides on water flow.
“Receding water does not mean the problem has been resolved. As long as residents continue to face overflowing drains, we have a responsibility to identify the causes, assess weaknesses and make improvements,” he said.
Pang stressed that completed and ongoing drainage projects should be assessed for their effectiveness in providing a comprehensive, long-term solution.
Meanwhile, resident Joseph Tie said flooding had persisted despite the drain outside his home being widened from 320mm to 930mm and deepened from 340mm to 850mm.
He said the latest incident highlighted the need to give equal attention to the main drainage system.
“The flooding shows that enlarging drains in individual locations is no longer enough.
“When the main drainage channels are blocked or experience backflow due to high tides, even wide and deep drains will overflow,” he said.
