ALOR STAR: Local governments in the state have been ordered to carry out drainage maintenance to prevent flash floods in the wake of the monsoon season. Kedah Housing and Local Government, Water, Water Resources and Energy Committee chairman Datuk Badrul Hisham Hashim said besides cleaning up the drainage system, the local authorities have also been ordered to be on alert to evacuate those living in low-lying areas should flooding occurs. To a supplementary question from Datuk Ahmad Zaini Japar (BN-Bukit Kayu Hitam) on the flash flood that occurrs repeatedly at Bukit Wang Perah, the BN-Kuala Nerang assemblyman said the state will look into the matter. He said in 2015, the department spent RM64,000 to clean up a four-kilometre stretch of the river while last year a total of RM37,500 was spent to clean up a five-kilometre stretch of the river. “On behalf of the state government, I wish to extend appreciation to the state Education Department and teachers at the schools which were used as temporary relief centres for flood victims during the recent floods,” he said.

Source: New Strait Times November 15, 2017 13:30 UTC