IPOH: The Ipoh City Council has been clearing all major drains in the last few days to prevent any flash floods from occurring.

       Mayor Datuk Rumaizi Baharin said the council has also been monitoring the two major rivers in the city - Sungai Pinji and Sungai Pari - to check on the water levels.

       He said checks at Sungai Pinji Sunday (Dec 19) showed that the water was rising due to the continuous rain since Saturday (Dec 18) night.

       “To ensure there are no flash floods, I am personally going to the ground to ensure all drains and illegal dumpsites are cleared.

       “We don’t want rubbish from such dumpsites going into the drains and clogging them,” he said while monitoring cleaning works at an illegal dumpsite at Hala Pegoh 27 at Taman Pinji Mewah here Sunday.

       Rumaizi said for now, thankfully there were no indications of flash floods occurring, and he hoped that people would stop throwing rubbish into drains or illegal dumpsites.

       “We are trying our best to ensure all cleaning works are carried out promptly.

       “But at the same time, we also seek cooperation from the public to play their part, for instance, the illegal dumpsite at Taman Pegoh was cleared on Dec 12, and within a week the place was filled with rubbish once again,” he added.

       Rumaizi said several housing areas in the city that were prone to flash floods are also being monitored constantly.