BATU PAHAT: The projects to address the problem of floods and seawater overflow in Batu Pahat and Pontian, which will begin next year, are expected to benefit 35,000 people in the two districts, says Datuk Mansor Othman.

       The Deputy Environment and Water Minister said of the total RM225mil allocation, RM190mil would be used flood management works including river excavation, upgrading embankments and construction of water control structures in Batu Pahat.

       Another RM35mil will be allocated for work to upgrade and repair over 10km of coastal embankments affected by erosion in the Batu Pahat and Pontian districts.

       "This allocation is the result of the implementation of the Batu Pahat City Environmentally Friendly Drainage Master Plan (PISMA) to produce long-term measures to reduce flood risk and reduce the impact of pollution on rivers and drainage, helping towards more systematic development.

       "Besides that, it can also plan the implementation of rehabilitation and repair works related to flash floods and the imperfect drainage systems in the Batu Pahat area," he told a press conference after inspecting the area affected by erosion at Pantai Rekreasi Perpat, near here, Thursday (Feb 17).

       Mansor said the allocation and the upgrading work will benefit 35,000 residents at the estuary of the Batu Pahat River starting from the Peserai fort in Batu Pahat to Tampok, Pontian.

       He said detailed coastal survey and design work would be carried out in the near future and work tenders were expected to be opened at the end of the year.

       "Floods now occur almost every month due to poor drainage systems and drainage problems. Floodwater depth was recorded at an average of 0.3m and every time it happens, 1,000 families are affected," he said, adding that the project would be completed within three years. - Bernama