KUCHING (Jan 5): Flood management experts should look into secondary dams as solutions for flood mitigation, said Batu Kitang assemblyman Dato Lo Khere Chiang.

“We have heard from Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg about plans to build secondary dams beneath major dams to enhance flood mitigation.

“The secondary dams can serve as large retention ponds to manage excess water — this will help control floods more effectively than relying on small ponds.

“Bengoh Dam is an example fo a major dam that can be complemented by additional retention measures,” he said when met by reporters after launching the homestay training programme at the Special Needs Society Kuching here yesterday.

Lo also noted that so far, areas in Batu Kitang have avoided major flooding but villages such as Kampung Bumbok and Kampung Sudat have experienced minor flooding.

“Upstream of Batu Kitang, we have the Bengoh Dam reservoir, which can hold a large volume of water. Kampung Bumbok and Kampung Sudat faced minor flooding because development in those areas has prevented water from draining quickly,” he said.