KOTA KINABALU: The flood mitigation project for the city will take off next year, says Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan.

       He said the Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) will begin preliminary work on the Kota Kinabalu flood mitigation project this year and the construction would begin next year.

       He said the project under the Economic Planning Unit was approved in the Fourth Rolling Plan of the 11th Malaysia Plan.

       “The goal of this project in Kota Kinabalu is to improve the drainage system in Basin 8, which includes the Damai and Dah Yeh Villa areas.

       “Preliminary works, including soil investigation and topographic survey, will be carried out this year. The procurement for this flood mitigation project is scheduled to be carried out next year,” he said.

       He was responding to widespread criticism over last week’s flash floods that submerged many parts of the inner city, including many areas that never experienced flooding previously.

       Jeffrey, who is Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, said frequent flooding had been a long-standing issue in Kolombong, Inanam, Likas and the surrounding areas.

       He said the DID has proposed conducting a study to develop a plan for the barrage-pump system, covering two main river catchments with a total area of 50.3 sq km covering Likas and Darau of the city’s northern side.

       The system is crucial since much of the area is coastal bound, low-

       lying and susceptible to flooding, especially when a rainstorm event coincides with high tide, he added.

       Moreover, this mitigation measure is unavoidable due to the rise in sea levels and changes in temporal pattern, he also noted.

       “It is high time to explore and start planning for such a mitigation method due to its proven efficiency against flood damage in many urban places,” he said.

       “As for Lido area, the DID has appointed a consultant to finalise the design for the flood mitigation project; unfortunately, the project has been pushed back partly due to the movement control order.

       “However, the procurement for this project could likely be carried out by the end of this year, and I expect the construction work to start by the middle of next year.”