JB mayor says city council resolved 18 out of 35 flash flood hotspots
JOHOR BARU, Oct 3 — The Johor Baru City Council (MBJB) has successfully resolved 18 out of 35 flash flood hotspot locations in the city that come under its jurisdiction, its mayor Datuk Noorazam Osman said today.
Noorazam said this was from the efforts made by MBJB, which includes the mobilisation of the city council’s Lightning Squad to monitor the affected locations.
“Of late, some locations that used to have frequent flash flooding after it rained continuously for more than two hours, are now not affected anymore.
“Our MBJB Lightning Squad will continue to monitor the remaining areas during heavy rains and take proactive measures such as the clearing of clogged drains for immediate water flow,” said Noorazam after chairing the MBJB full board meeting at Menara MBJB here today.
He was commenting on MBJB’s plans to address flash flooding in the city here.
Noorazam said other initiatives by MBJB include the installation of two water pumps at flood-prone areas along Sungai Skudai to reduce incidents of flash flooding.
He added that other initiatives by MBJB included lowering the water level of the catchment pond in Taman Tasek Merdeka to hold a higher volume during heavy rains.
“This has improved the flash flooding problem in the areas of Kampung Mohd Amin and its vicinity,” he said.
Meanwhile, Noorazam said MBJB will take stern action against heavy vehicle owners who violate the gazetted protocol road rules.
He said that in the city there are 26 protocol roads that have been gazetted to limit or restrict usage by heavy vehicles to minimise damage.
However, Noorazam said that based on observation and public complaints, MBJB found that several protocol roads were in bad condition.
“The protocol roads, including those in the city centre, were found to be damaged and were dirty. This is mainly caused by heavy vehicles such as lorries carrying sand and cement to construction sites.
"MBJB is aware of the development projects in those particular areas and called on the parties concerned to adhere to the rules, including maintaining cleanliness and complying with the prescribed protocol road usage time,” he said, adding that MBJB will not hesitate to take action under Section 47(1) of the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974.
In the city, most of the protocol roads are located in the city centre where it is a heritage or commercial area and also near the Johor Royal family’s official residences.
