GOV'T APPROVES RM1.2 MILLION FOR FLOOD MITIGATION IN LMS DISTRICT

TAIPING, Oct 24 (Bernama) -- The government has approved an immediate allocation of RM1.2 million for flood mitigation projects in the Larut Matang Selama (LMS) district.

Special officer to the Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, Neow Choo Seong, said the funds will be channelled through the Perak Department of Irrigation and Drainage (JPS) for river deepening, drainage works, and flood prevention measures in the affected areas.

“This follows a visit with Datuk Amar (Fadillah) on Oct 3, when floods hit Taiping. At that time, he directed JPS to conduct a survey and submit flood management proposals,” Neow said.

“Given that flooding has occurred again, the situation has become more urgent. Yesterday, he instructed that emergency funding be expedited,” he told reporters during his visit to the temporary relief centre at ADTEC Taiping tonight.

Neow added that the allocation is based on proposals submitted earlier by JPS.

Fadillah, who is also the Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation, had expressed hope that the flood mitigation project would be expedited, particularly before the onset of the Northeast Monsoon (MTL) season at the end of the year.

"The recurring floods are causing hardship for the people. It is hoped that this funding will bring good news and provide relief to the residents in the affected areas," Neow said.

He added that although other districts are also facing flood issues, the situation in the LMS district is currently the most urgent.

As of 8 pm today, 2,806 flood victims from 955 families have been evacuated to 25 temporary relief centres in Perak, including in the districts of LMS, Manjung, Kerian, and Perak Tengah.

The LMS district is the hardest-hit, with 2,006 victims from 708 families taking shelter in 19 relief centres.

-- BERNAMA