KOTA KINABALU: Sabah needs to spend RM301mil to tackle perennial flooding in Sabah's northern Kota Marudu and Pitas districts, which were among the worst hit recently.

       Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan (pic) said the funds were needed for long term solutions for the northern districts which included dredging, river widening, construction of bunds, and installing flood control gates at four rivers: Sg Bandau, Sg Bongon, Sg Tandek and Sg Rasak.

       For the short term, he said the Irrigation and Drainage Department would conduct ad-hoc projects to clear clogged drains to allow for more efficient water flows.

       "These clogged drains are one of the main causes of floods," he said after attending a briefing by DID in Kota Marudu.

       "The problem is not limited to just infrastructure solutions. We are currently experiencing global climate change, which has resulted in extraordinary rainfall, including in areas that have never been flooded before.

       "We need to do a thorough investigation into the condition and characteristics of the rivers, not just in Kota Marudu, but in all districts in Sabah, in relation to climate change so we could plan what we need to do to mitigate the effects," he said.

       He warned that nature would always find a way to repair itself, and sadly, the majority of environmental damage was done by humans.

       Meanwhile, Kitingan said that people must always be prepared to move out if flood waters rise, and also stop building their houses too close to the river because it was not only dangerous but also illegal.

       "Riparian reserve laws should be respected rather than ignored.

       "The laws are in place for our own protection, not because the government is insensitive or inconsiderate," he said, adding that some 44.65ha of farm land in Kota Marudu were destroyed, resulting in losses worth RM56,700.

       Over 2,000 people have been evacuated in Kota Marudu following floods since New Year's eve.