KENINGAU: Two areas in Tuarid Taud have been identified as critical due to soil erosion on the banks of the Pamalan River.
This was confirmed following an inspection carried out by Bingkor Community Development Leaders Unit (UPPM) and the Keningau Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) on Jan 16.
District Officer, Peter Jonu Moinjil, said, the district DID has been instructed to call for quotations for repair works.
“It is estimated that the repair worked will cost approximately RM200,000 per location and involves the scope of river channeling work, installation of gabions estimated to be 60 metres long at the first location and the installation of ‘amour rock’ also estimated to be 60 metres long on the eroded river banks at the second location,” he said.
However, he said process will take some as there are procedures to comply with.
He also said Peter weather condition is also a factor to consider as repair work requires machineries to be in the river which can be dangerous when water level is high.
If the weather permits, it is expected that this work can be completed in April this year, he assured.
“We need to remind the entire village community not to build houses in the river reserve area because the risk of erosion and bank collapse is very high. It also makes it difficult for machineries to pass,” he said.
Peter said that on January 29 this year, when several areas in Sabah were hit by floods, UPPM Bingkor had requested the agency concerned to monitoring the Tuarid Taud area via the Keningau District Disaster Committee WhatsApp application because the water level of the Pamalan River was high.
He also advised that if the erosion situation worsens, residents should be evacuated.
