Menteri besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor said currently there are two TAPS in the river and plans are afoot to build another one to maximise the water storage for residents in the Merbok area.

“During the rainy season, there is a lot of water flowing from Gunung Jerai, so we will build another TAPS in the river. If we do not trap this water, then it will simply flow into the sea.

“Therefore, it is best to catch this water and store it in the reservoir for use by residents during the dry season,” he told reporters after visiting the flood-hit areas in Tupah here today.

According to him, this (TAPS) is one of the initiatives that the state government was discussing with the environment and water ministry for the rehabilitation of several areas in the Yan and Kuala Muda districts that were hit by flash floods due to a “water surge” phenomenon, on Wednesday.

In the discussion, Sanusi said, the state government had proposed that the ministry do some upgrading work to raise the height of two bridges in Sungai Tupah to accommodate a larger volume of water to flow underneath them.

“The existing bridges are low so when there is a water surge phenomenon, the water brings debris like twigs and wood which get stuck under the bridge, causing an overflow into the residents’ homes,” he said.

Meanwhile, he said the flooding also causes blockages at the water treatment plant in Tupah, thus affecting water supply to residents, making it difficult for them to clean up their mud-filled homes later.

To solve the problem, he said the volunteer fire services will be on hand to help channel the water supply from Sungai Tupah to residential areas so that residents can clean their houses.