BEAUFORT: The slow drainage of floodwaters, which has persisted for 18 days in Kampung Tamalang Along Bukau, has been identified as the cause of a narrow diversion in the Api-Api River.
Lumadan Assemblyman Datuk Ruslan Muharam said an inspection revealed the newly constructed diversion, part of a recent river maintenance project, has obstructed the flow of floodwaters to the sea.
“An inspection along the river was conducted with a District Drainage and Irrigation Department (JPS) officer and it was found that the new diversion is very narrow.
“Imagine the upper reaches of the river is wide and broad, but the river’s estuary narrows significantly to just 20 feet due to a 500-meter-long diversion created as part of the recent maintenance project.
“As a result, the flow of water is blocked from reaching the sea, causing floodwaters in Kampung Tamalang Along Bukau to recede slowly to this day,” he said after the inspection, Tuesday.
He urged JPS Beaufort to immediately address the issue by widening the diversion to align with the width of the river.
He was confident that this would completely resolve the stagnant floodwaters in the village and prevent similar issues in the future.
“I have requested JPS to expedite the widening of this diversion so that water can flow more smoothly and quickly, thus resolving the issue of ‘stagnant water’ in the affected village.
“Based on my experience, this diversion is the root cause. With some time, this issue can be addressed, and JPS is expected to implement this solution in the near future,” he said.
