by hamdan raja abdullah
MUAR: A major flood mitigation project which costs RM210mil is being looked into to curb flooding along the stretch of Sungai Muar between Segamat and here.
The project was part of a major flood mitigation programme being planned that covers some 6,138 sq km of catchment areas along the river up to Negri Sembilan and even Pahang.
Muar Drainage and Irrigation Department officer Mohamad Hayal Atan said the stretches, especially in Segamat, Pagoh and Gemas, had been prone to flood since 1920s.
He said the first phase of the mitigation project involved the Segamat district, while the second phase covered the Ledang and the Muar districts.
“The second phase project also involves strengthening the river at Tanjung Olak and Belemang and upgrading works at Sungai Pagoh.
“We will also improve irrigation system in the Pagoh town and build a canal system from Tanjung Olak to Bukit Kepong,” he said here recently.
Mohamad Hayal, however, said the canal project was yet to be approved but a proposal on the matter had been submitted to the relevant ministries.
He said the Government had approved RM30mil allocation to upgrade Sungai Pagoh, improve irrigation system in the Pagoh town and land acquisition in Tanjung Olak.
He said Sungai Pagoh, which stretches for about 18 kms, would be deepened and widened at a cost of RM25mil and another RM5mil for land acquisition.
He said the stretch of river near Tanjung Olak would also be straightened and shortened from 27 kms to only seven to speed up water flow.
He said both Tanjung Olak and Belemang would have waterways to allow flood waters from the upper reaches of Sungai Muar to flow downstream.
“Although the mitigation project in Muar would not totally prevent flooding in the district, it will at least speed up water flow into the sea,” he added.
MUAR: A major flood mitigation project which costs RM210mil is being looked into to curb flooding along the stretch of Sungai Muar between Segamat and here.
The project was part of a major flood mitigation programme being planned that covers some 6,138 sq km of catchment areas along the river up to Negri Sembilan and even Pahang.
Muar Drainage and Irrigation Department officer Mohamad Hayal Atan said the stretches, especially in Segamat, Pagoh and Gemas, had been prone to flood since 1920s.
He said the first phase of the mitigation project involved the Segamat district, while the second phase covered the Ledang and the Muar districts.
“The second phase project also involves strengthening the river at Tanjung Olak and Belemang and upgrading works at Sungai Pagoh.
“We will also improve irrigation system in the Pagoh town and build a canal system from Tanjung Olak to Bukit Kepong,” he said here recently.
Mohamad Hayal, however, said the canal project was yet to be approved but a proposal on the matter had been submitted to the relevant ministries.
He said the Government had approved RM30mil allocation to upgrade Sungai Pagoh, improve irrigation system in the Pagoh town and land acquisition in Tanjung Olak.
He said Sungai Pagoh, which stretches for about 18 kms, would be deepened and widened at a cost of RM25mil and another RM5mil for land acquisition.
He said the stretch of river near Tanjung Olak would also be straightened and shortened from 27 kms to only seven to speed up water flow.
He said both Tanjung Olak and Belemang would have waterways to allow flood waters from the upper reaches of Sungai Muar to flow downstream.
“Although the mitigation project in Muar would not totally prevent flooding in the district, it will at least speed up water flow into the sea,” he added.
