Lee (standing centre) with flood victims after distributing aid to them. — Bernama
A comprehensive approach is needed to prevent recurring floods in various parts of Ipoh, Perak.
Ipoh Timur MP Howard Lee Chuan How said the efforts should go beyond short-term mitigation and focus on sustainable development to address root causes including climate change.
“It is crucial to prevent disasters from happening every year and to ensure that victims no longer have to endure repeated flooding.
“This should be our priority,” Lee said during an event to distribute aid to flood victims at Dewan Orang Ramai Kampung Sri Kinta in Ipoh.
While highlighting the devastating impact of floods, he said repeated loss and destruction was a heavy burden for victims to bear, making it difficult for them to recover and return to normalcy.
At the event, Bernama reported that 34 families from Kampung Sri Kinta, Pengkalan Pegoh, Kuala Pari and Cempaka Sari received RM500 financial assistance each after their homes were hit by floods on Dec 1.
Addressing the flood issues in Kampung Sri Kinta, Lee said a flood mitigation project has been implemented to alleviate the problem in high-risk areas.
“A more efficient drainage system costing RM180,000 has been constructed on both sides of the road in Lorong 7, an area that frequently experiences waist-high floodwaters.
“Six houses are directly affected whenever flooding occurs. Residents have been struggling with this issue for 15 years.
“We hope this project, which is expected to be completed in two months, will bring significant relief to residents of Lorong 6 and Lorong 8,” he said.
Lee also urged the government to allocate additional funds to the Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) for maintenance and upgrading works to ensure long-term flood prevention.
