IPOH: The flash floods in Perak are primarily due to the exceptionally heavy or extraordinary rainfall, says state drainage and irrigation department director Ahmad Shahrir Naziri.
He said DID found that some floods were due to rainfall over 50 ARI (average recurrence interval), which is an exceptionally high reading for small rivers.
“In Perak, most of the flooding occurred in areas with relatively narrow rivers and they can only handle about two to five ARI.
“We have implemented various methods to address this matter.”
Shahrir said DID had earlier carried out flood preparedness programmes but the floods occurred while work on them was still under way.
He said ongoing work to prevent floods had been expedited.
Earlier, Shahrir attended the state-level World Rivers Day celebration and the launching of Friends of Kinta River Basin by state executive councillor Nizar Jamaluddin.
As of this morning, the state disaster management committee secretariat said the number of flood victims had risen to 38 people from 35 from eight families yesterday placed at the temporary relief centre at Sekolah Rendah Kebangsaan Changkat Lobak in Kerian district.
Meanwhile, Nizar said the Friends of Kinta River Basin movement was established last year, with 40 members from 17 community groups or local organisations in the vicinity of the Kinta river catchment area.
“The members have been empowered with taking care of the Kinta river. They will serve as the eyes and ears for government agencies and departments to monitor and report any pollution,” he said.