Golfview folks unhappy with DID over drain
Published on: Tuesday, October 26, 2021
By: Sidney Skinner
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The ‘temporary crossing’ is put in place at this section of the Penampang drain.
THE Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) plans to hold a dialogue with representatives of several Penampang neighbourhoods, including Taman Golfview, to discuss the setbacks caused by the ongoing effort to rebuild a monsoon drain in their area.Some of the concrete walls for the structure were found to have collapsed during a joint inspection, between the Department’s staff and their peers from the District Council, more than a year ago.
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The DID began replacing the damaged “L-shaped units” for the drain with “sheet piles” in March, after obtaining the latter from Peninsula Malaysia as they could not be locally sourced.
Over the intervening months, repairs have periodically been disrupted due to restrictions imposed on the agency’s contractors – when the Movement Control Order came into affect – and the inclement weather in the State Capital.
Senior officers (right) from the DID’s headquarters speak to the Department’s engineers who are overseeing the reconstruction of the monsoon drain.
The Department estimated, earlier this month, that about 15 per cent of the reconstruction work remained to be done.
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Nevertheless, the intense rain, which has fallen on and off in the district, has aggravated the drainage problems not only in Taman Golfview, but also in Taman Millennium Heights and Golf Garden nearby.
The water rose almost to the brim but, thankfully, did not overflow from the drain during recent downpours.
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However, when it rained heavily in mid-September, Taman Golfview was hit with a flood which a homeowner described as being “the worst” he had experienced since he first moved there more than a decade ago.
A DID spokeswoman said the Department was aware of the frustrations caused by the “reduced capacity” of the monsoon drain.
She said the Department was trying to expedite the reconstruction effort so that the structure could function as it should.
“Two of our deputy directors personally went to the site last week to have a look at the extent of the work which has been carried out,” she said on October 25.
“The contractor, tasked with rebuilding the drain, has removed the culverts from one section of the structure so that a temporary ‘crossing’ can be put in place.
“He is hoping to make the most of the hot weather, which KK has been experiencing off late, so that the necessary machinery can be safely brought across the width of the drain to seal the walls on this side with concrete.”
This action had previously been delayed because the soil on the side of the structure had been water-logged, according to her.
“The presence of ‘the crossing’ will also facilitate action to excavate any debris which may fall into the drain while the repairs are still being performed.
“We have an operator on stand-by round the clock to clear the drain, as and when it becomes necessary to do so.”
She said the DID was keeping tabs on the progress of the rebuilding work, with regular inspections made of the structure.
“We are also arranging a meet with some of the affected homeowners to learn more about their grievances and to brief them on what else needs to be done to the drain.
The Department’s deputy directors having a look at the culverts which were removed so that the crossing could be fashioned.
“We hope to conduct this meeting as soon as possible.”
SATHVINDER, who lives in Taman Golfview, spoke out about the lackadaisical attitude of the Department toward the repairs.
He was of the opinion that the 13-month delay in completing the work on the drain might have contributed to flood woes in the neighbourhood.
“There used to be an excavator parked at one section of the drain but it is no longer there,” he said.
“The DID should bring back this vehicle so that the mud, and other deposits in this structure, can be regularly dug out.
“The frequent excavation might ensure that the drain remains deep enough to channel away the run off until the reconstruction work can be completed.”
Sathvinder also hoped the agency would consider putting up a barrier along the section of the drain which was closest to Taman Golfview.
“A wall of this kind can been seen along that part of the drain which is adjacent to Forest Hill Condominium, not far from us.
“Alternatively, the DID could also pile up sandbags along the drain-wall near Taman Golfview.”
The earth on the side of the drain, near Taman Golfview, looked as if it could fall inside during a downpour in October.
He said either of these strategies might minimise the likelihood of a flash flood occurring in the neighbourhood.
Sathvinder said water from the monsoon drain spilled over onto the housing roads in Taman Golfview, after only half an hour of rainfall, on September 15.
“The drains in front of our homes did the same shortly thereafter and soon the water covering the roads in the neighbourhood was level with the water from the monsoon drain,” he said.
He said the neighbourhood was submerged under six inches of water by the time the downpour subsided hours later.
“Those of living here incurred a substantial amount of property damage as a result of this.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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