The federal government will review flood mitigation projects in Sabah’s flood-prone areas as climate change drives more frequent flooding.
KOTA KINABALU: The federal government will conduct a review of flood mitigation projects in areas of Sabah identified as frequently affected by flooding.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak) Datuk Mustapha Sakmud said this long-term measure is necessary to address increasingly frequent flooding driven by climate change and global warming.
He stated that the extreme weather phenomenon occurring globally requires a more comprehensive approach, including reviewing the construction of flood mitigation infrastructure.
“Actually, this is a global warming issue, an environmental issue, and with rising global temperatures and changing weather patterns, floods are becoming more frequent,” Mustapha told reporters after officiating an Ukhuwah MADANI programme.
The Sepanggar MP said the government would first implement these reviewed projects in the areas that are most significantly affected.
He added that the government continues to closely monitor the current flood situation by mobilising all relevant agencies to ensure the welfare of victims is safeguarded.
Mustapha confirmed that the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) and the Malaysia Civil Defence Force (APM) have been mobilised to visit every temporary relief centre (PPS) to assess needs.
“I will assist in expediting the deployment of relevant agencies to flood locations and, secondly, the contributions to be channelled to those registered at temporary relief centres in all affected areas,” he said.
The government is also focusing on strengthening information dissemination systems and early weather warnings for residents in high-risk areas.
As of noon, the number of flood victims in Sabah had decreased to 3,266 individuals from 1,401 families compared with 5,141 individuals from 2,160 families earlier in the day.
The flood disaster in the Kota Marudu district was declared over following improved weather, while the districts of Pitas, Paitan and Tawau remain affected.
The Ukhuwah MADANI programme officiated by Mustapha is a two-day community initiative involving collaboration between his office and NGOs to distribute 10,000 packs of bubur lambuk.
The Sun Malaysia
