He however admitted there were some weaknesses with the state Drainage and Irrigation Department’s implementation of flood mitigation projects and vowed to get it expedited.
“Flash floods is a new challenge with unusually heavy rainfall. It is worse in other states. But that does not mean we will shirk our responsibilities.
“We also admit there are some weakness in DID, as some projects were not implemented,” he said.
One project had still not been implemented after four years, but he expressed confidence that “the energetic DID director” Sabri Abdul Mulok would resolve the problem.
He assured party delegates that “flash floods like at Deepavali time will never happen again so long as the Federal Government completes their flood mitigation project that is way overdue.”
Lim’s remarks were made before 300 state DAP delegates at the annual party convention. Lim is secretary-general of the DAP.
Last Saturday, a four-hour downpour in the afternoon caused many rivers to overflow, which in turn resulted in massive flash floods on the island.
Typical flood hotspots and low-lying areas were hit, especially in the Jalan P Ramlee area, affecting nearly 50 houses. Sungai Pinang overflowed after heavy rain. For the first time, Jalan Paya Terubong, Jalan Thean Teik, Taman Lumba Kuda and Jalan Masjid Negeri were also flooded.
Lim said the flash floods issue would be addressed in the state budget for 2017 to be tabled on Nov 15.
The state would press for the completion of the RM350 million final phase of the Federal Government’s Sungai Pinang flood mitigation project, which was begun in 1998.
The first phase in 1998 was to widen and deepen the river from the rivermouth to the Jalan Patani bridge, at a cost of RM6.45 million. The second phase between the Jalan Patani bridge and Dobby Ghaut was carried out in 1999.
The final and third phase on the final upstream portion of the river involves improving water quality; as well as widening and deepening the river.
This phase suffered delays while the city council removed squatters by the riverbank. Earlier this year the council said it had spent RM298,000 to remove 161 structures by the riverbank since December 2013 and RM4 million in ex-gratia payments to 223 residents.