FOUR PROJECTS IN PROGRESS BY MELAKA JPS TO ALLEVIATE HIGH-TIDE FLOODS

MELAKA, Nov 22 (Bernama) -- The Melaka Department of Irrigation and Drainage (JPS) is implementing and planning four projects across several coastal areas in the state to reduce flood risks associated with the high tide phenomenon.

Its director Dr Muhammad Khairudin Khalil said these include two projects in Alai Perdana and Pantai Siring, focusing on repairing coastal embankments.

"The other two are the beach erosion control project at Pantai Tanjung Bidara which began earlier this year, while for Pantai Puteri, we are awaiting approval from the ministry.

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"All these are funded under the Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA)," he said here today.

Commenting further, Muhammad Khairudin, said high tide usually occurs three times a month covering the entire coastline of the state starting from the waters of Sungai Linggi to Sungai Kesang in Sungai Rambai.

Muhammad Khairudin said this year's highest high tide reading recorded in Melaka was 2.26 metres (m), compared to 2.25 m last year.

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"Therefore, JPS will conduct continuous monitoring in low-lying areas and take various preventive measures to address the issue," he said.

He added that 124 locations in the state have been identified as flood hotspots due to the frequency of flooding, occurring at least three times over the past three years.

“These include 59 areas in the districts of Melaka Tengah, Jasin (42) and Alor Gajah (23), which are also at risk of inundation either due to flash floods or rivers overflowing after heavy rain.

"A total of 14 warning sirens have been installed in Melaka to warn residents ahead of flooding," he said.

-- BERNAMA