JOHOR BARU: The Johor government is implementing 20 flood mitigation projects worth RM35.36 million to reduce flash flood risks that have recently affected 12 major areas in the city.
Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said the projects involved six river basins and related roads, including drainage system upgrades, construction of retention ponds, additional pumps and installation of floodgates.
He said immediate action and comprehensive solutions were needed following heavy rainfall of up to 120mm within 2 hours.
“Recent flash floods affecting 12 major areas in Johor Baru, including Kampung Mohd Amin, Kampung Pasir, Jalan Yahya Awal and Sultanah Aminah Hospital (HSA), are a cause for concern.
“With rainfall reaching 120mm in just 2 hours, immediate action and comprehensive solutions must be prioritised to reduce the risk of recurring floods, particularly ahead of the northeast monsoon,” he said in a statement on his official Facebook page today.
Onn Hafiz said key measures that had been or were being implemented included deepening existing retention ponds and constructing two new ponds in the Sungai Chat basin.
He said the government was also upgrading drainage systems and operating flood pumps in Kampung Pasir and Sungai Skudai.
“Additional pump capacity and the raising of Jalan Mahmoodiah near HSA are also being carried out, alongside the construction of a water retention pond and upgrading of the main drainage system at Jalan Ayer Molek and Jalan Yahya Awal.
“Drainage system, culvert and floodgate upgrades at Sungai Sengkuang and Jalan Ismail Sultan are also underway,” he said.
Onn Hafiz said he had directed all relevant agencies to expedite the projects and ensure the work was completed according to schedule.
He said flood mitigation works in Taman Merdeka, Kampung Pasir, Jalan Ismail Sultan and Kampung Mohd Amin were targeted for completion by the end of this year, while other projects would continue in phases.
“I hope these efforts will genuinely reduce the risk of recurring floods and provide relief to residents who have been dealing with this problem for a long time,” he said.
Earlier, Onn Hafiz inspected the Sungai Chat pump house and the Kampung Mohd Amin flood retention pond project site to review progress alongside Johor Baru City Council (MBJB), the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) and the Johor Public Works Department (PWD).