by Theleaders-Online | December 24, 2019 9:19 am
LABUAN: The flood waters at the quarters of Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Labuan International Campus (UMSKAL) rose to chest level at 2pm today as rains showed no signs of letting up.
The number of affected families increased to eight from six on yesterday when the water was at hip level at the lecturers and staff quarters.
As the Malaysian Meteorological Department has forecast more rains on the island for the next few days, residents in the low-lying areas of Kg Ganggarak, Kg Pohon Batu and Kg Rancha-Rancha Darat are bracing themselves for possible floods.
“So far, eight families with children have been advised to shift to vacant houses on higher grounds. However, a vehicle could not be moved as the owner is on holiday in the mainland,” said UMSKAL senior deputy registrar Zamri Mohamad Tuah.
He reiterated that floods had been occurring since June this year after work started on the RM70 million BVA Premium Outlet project next to the UMSKAL building.
The developer has promised to build a new drainage system to prevent floods from recurring, provided the gate facing the project site is demolished to make way for the drainage project.
“On our part, we foresee no issue to allow the demolition of the gate if that is the stumbling block to the proposed new drainage system to resolve the flood problem,” he told Bernama.
Labuan Corporation chief executive officer Dr Fary Akmal Osman said she had directed her officers to look into the issue and come up with a solution.
“We have had a serious discussion with UMSKAL and the developer on how we could tackle it for a long-term solution, and we will resolve the flood issue soon,” Fary said.
The Labuan Fire and Rescue Department (Layangan Fire Station) dispatched a team to help evacuate the victims.
Labuan Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) director Juniaddi Awang Tuah said they discussed with the BVA Premium Outlet project developer today the possibility of using a water pump to drain out the floodwater.
“We can use the new water pump to pump the water out of the quarters area, but we need the developer’s contractor to assist us in operating the machine,” he said.
Labuan Health Department officers were seen inspecting the place to prevent the stagnant waters from becoming mosquito breeding grounds.
Bernama
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