KOTA KINABALU: The federal government will implement several measures, including the adoption of the latest technology, to mitigate flooding, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

"For long-term disaster mitigation, the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) and the Department of Irrigation and Drainage will implement comprehensive mitigation plans.

"This includes the use of artificial intelligence and the latest technology to improve disaster management and risk reduction.

"Nadma continuously collaborates with the Meteorological Department, Department of Irrigation and Drainage, Department of Minerals and Geology and other agencies.

"We urge those in identified high-risk areas to strictly follow evacuation instructions when the early warning system is activated.

"This will ensure that evacuations are carried out earlier, reducing risks to flood victims," he said after visiting the Lido Flood Mitigation project here.

Earlier, he chaired the first High-Level Committee Meeting on National Disaster Management for this year at the Federal Secretary's Office in Sabah, Kota Kinabalu.

To address the recurring flood problem, Zahid, who heads the Central Disaster Management Committee, said the Department of Irrigation and Drainage is implementing 14 flood mitigation projects in Sabah, while 10 are planned for Sarawak.

"The meeting also approved the construction of a permanent disaster evacuation centre (PPKB) in Long Busang, Belaga, Sarawak.

"For PPKB development in other areas, Nadma will collaborate with the Education Ministry. "Currently, only one PPKB has been established at Dewan Serbaguna Taman Kota Jaya, Kota Tinggi in Johor."

Zahid added that Nadma will work with Bank Simpanan Nasional to facilitate the disbursement of aid to disaster victims, ensuring transparency and minimising fund mismanagement.

This year, in Sabah, 9,735 victims were relocated to 68 temporary evacuation centres due to floods.

The floods have caused damage to public infrastructure, including suspension bridges in Kota Marudu and Pitas. In Sarawak, over 37,000 households were affected by floods.

PETALING JAYA- Jabatan Meteorologi (MetMalaysia) mengeluarkan amaran ribut petir, hujan lebat dan angin kencang dijangka melanda tujuh negeri sehingga pukul 4 petang ini.

Menurut MetMalaysia, amaran cuaca buruk itu melibatkan seluruh negeri di Perlis, Kedah, Pulau Pinang, Kelantan dan Terengganu.

“Manakala di Pahang kawasan terlibat di (Tanah Tinggi Cameron, Lipis dan Jerantut),” katanya dalam kenyataan hari ini. – KOSMO! ONLINE

KOTA KINABALU: Sebanyak RM22 bilion diperuntukkan bagi melaksanakan Rancangan Tebatan Banjir (RTB) di kawasan yang sering dilanda banjir di seluruh negara.

Timbalan Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, berkata jumlah itu merangkumi kawasan yang sedang dikenal pasti untuk pelaksanaan projek berkenaan bagi mengatasi masalah banjir pada masa depan.

"Dengan berlakunya pemanasan global dan perubahan iklim, kita berterima kasih kerana Jabatan Pengairan dan Saliran (JPS) memberikan beberapa unjuran berdasarkan kawasan yang dijangka mengalami masalah banjir.

"Jadi pihak kerajaan mengambil beberapa langkah proaktif untuk melaksanakan RTB. Di seluruh negara sejumlah RM22 bilion diperuntukkan untuk melaksanakan RTB.

"Ia meliputi semua kawasan yang sedang dikenal pasti untuk dilakukan naik taraf agar tebatan banjir ini dapat mengelakkan banjir di kawasan yang terbabit," katanya pada sidang media selepas lawatan ke projek RTB Persekitaran Kawasan Lido, Bandaraya Kota Kinabalu, di sini, hari ini.

Yang turut hadir ialah Menteri Pembangunan Usahawan dan Koperasi yang juga Ahli Parlimen Penampang, Datuk Ewon Benedick.

Mengenai RTB Persekitaran Lido, Ahmad Zahid berkata projek bernilai RM800 juta itu dilaksanakan bagi menyelesaikan banjir yang sering berlaku di kawasan berkenaan.

Katanya, beberapa pakej kerja RTB sudah dilaksanakan, namun masih ada beberapa pakej belum selesai dan perlu dibuat supaya masalah banjir di Kota Kinabalu, Penampang dan Putatan dapat diselesaikan.

"Kita memerlukan kira-kira RM800 juta peruntukan tambahan yang akan dimasukkan dalam Rancangan Malaysia Ke-13 (RMKe-13) untuk dilaksanakan," katanya.

RTB Persekitaran Lido yang merangkumi pembinaan kolam takungan dan pembinaan pam serta sistem untuk menghalang kemasukan air pasang adalah sebahagian daripada program Pembangunan Lembangan Sungai Bersepadu Sungai Moyog yang membabitkan daerah Penampang, Putatan dan Kota Kinabalu.

Projek itu dijadual siap pada Mac depan tetapi syarikat kontraktor yang melaksanakannya mendapat tambahan masa sehingga Jun tahun depan berikutan berlaku kelewatan dalam penyiapan kerja.

Mengulas mengenai kelewatan itu, Ahmad Zahid yang juga Menteri Kemajuan Desa dan Wilayah berkata perkara itu bukan disebabkan masalah kontraktor atau JPS.

"Kelewatan ini bukan salah pihak JPS atau kontraktor tetapi ia membabitkan pemindahan utiliti dan pengambilalihan tanah.

"Maka kita menerima alasan itu namun pihak JPS sentiasa memantau agar banjir yang berlaku empat kali setahun di kawasan ini dapat diatasi," katanya.

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah is requesting an additional RM800 million under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) to implement comprehensive flood prevention measures in affected areas.

This funding is essential to address long-term flood mitigation challenges in the state.

"Despite ongoing efforts, additional mitigation measures are urgently needed to protect residents and infrastructure from the devastating impacts of flash floods," he said during a visit to the Lido-Moyog River Basin on Monday (Feb 24).

Various flood control measures have been introduced over the years, with projects carried out in phases.

However, flooding remains a recurring problem, particularly in urban areas like Kota Kinabalu, Penampang, and Putatan, which are vulnerable due to rapid development, inadequate drainage systems, and the impact of climate change.

Ahmad Zahid stated that to address these challenges, the government has outlined additional measures under phases one, two, and four of ongoing projects.

These initiatives aim to improve drainage systems, enhance river management, and implement advanced flood prevention technologies.

"Despite these efforts, delays in flood mitigation projects have hindered progress, largely due to challenges such as land acquisition and utility relocation rather than inefficiencies from the Irrigation and Drainage Department or contractors," Ahmad Zahid said.

He also noted that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has commended the preparedness and flood management efforts carried out by national and state-level agencies, including the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) and the Flood Operations Task Force.

To further strengthen flood response, the government is working closely with the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia), Irrigation and Drainage Department, the Minerals and Geology Department, and other agencies to improve early warning systems and ensure timely evacuations in high-risk areas.

Additionally, Nadma plans to establish permanent evacuation centres in selected areas to provide more sustainable shelter solutions for flood victims.

"These centres will be integrated into schools and other facilities, allowing them to serve the community when not in use for disaster relief.

"While it is not yet feasible to convert all temporary relief centres into permanent ones, efforts are being made, starting with areas like Belaga in Sarawak, which frequently experiences severe flooding," Ahmad Zahid said.

With the increasing frequency of extreme weather events due to climate change, experts stress the need to adopt new technologies in flood management.

Ahmad Zahid also urged residents in flood-prone areas to remain vigilant and adhere to evacuation instructions to minimise risks.

Meanwhile, federal and state governments continue to coordinate closely to expedite project implementation and ensure that mitigation efforts are completed without further delays.

"For projects under the Rural and Regional Development Ministry (KKDW), there were previous coordination challenges. However, after my visits to Sabah and Sarawak, these issues have been largely resolved.

"To expedite project completion, state governments, KKDW, and relevant federal agencies are closely monitoring progress. I sincerely appreciate the cooperation of the Sabah and Sarawak state governments, as well as other state governments, in facilitating these efforts," he said.

Earlier, Ahmad Zahid chaired the High-Level Committee Meeting on National Disaster Management, focusing on flood-related issues and solutions affecting Sabah and Sarawak since January this year.

The meeting revealed that 14 flood mitigation projects are planned for Sabah, with two completed and in the defect liability period, 10 under construction, and two in the pre-implementation phase.

Similarly, in Sarawak, 10 flood mitigation projects have been planned, with two completed and in the defect liability period, two under construction, and six in pre-implementation.

During the last flood episode, Sabah experienced two major flooding events—the first from Jan 17 to 20, affecting three districts, and the second from Jan 27 to Feb 16, impacting 14 districts.

A total of 3,120 heads of households, involving 9,735 victims, were relocated to 68 Temporary Evacuation Centres set up during this period.

Meanwhile, Nadma will collaborate with Bank Simpanan Nasional to facilitate the distribution of Bantuan Wang Ihsan (BWI) to disaster victims, aiming to prevent leakages in the disbursement process.

Also present was Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Minister and Penampang MP, Datuk Ewon Benedick.