General : Federal Govt Allocates RM1.46 Bln For Eight Flood Mitigation Projects In Melaka

The Malaysian federal government has allocated RM1.46 billion for eight flood mitigation projects in Melaka, spanning the 2021–2026 period. These projects, overseen by the Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA), aim to bolster protection for residents in flood-prone areas. According to Mohd Adnan Ahmad Fauzi, director of the Melaka Department of Irrigation and Drainage (JPS), these initiatives form part of the joint efforts between federal and state governments to decrease the risk and impact of flooding in the state.

The projects include the Alor Gajah Flood Mitigation Plan (Phase 1), Bandar Jasin RTB, Bandar Merlimau RTB, Sungai Putat RTB, and Sungai Duyong RTB, along with the upgrade of the Krubong-Durian Tunggal Flood Mitigation Pond into a dual-purpose facility. Five of the six currently ongoing projects are expected to be fully completed by Q4 2027, while one is slated for completion in 2030.

Two projects, the Melaka River Flood Mitigation Project (RTB) Phase 1 and Sungai Baru RTB in Alor Gajah, remain in the pre-implementation stage, currently in the design phase.

Despite the ongoing projects not being fully completed yet, data from the Melaka Department of Irrigation and Drainage's Hydrology Unit and the National Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre indicates a reduction in flood hotspots, from 157 in 2021 to 106 in the previous year. Upon completion of all RTB projects, it is anticipated that over 50,000 residents in Melaka will be shielded from flood risks.

The effectiveness of the ongoing projects is assessed using flood monitoring data, including frequency, duration, depth of flooding, affected areas, and rainfall information. This data is continuously monitored by the Melaka Water Resources and Hydrology Management Division and PRABN to assist JPS in evaluating the effectiveness of implemented mitigation measures.

The Melaka flood mitigation strategy has shifted from solely focusing on river widening to integrated river basin management, incorporating upstream catchment areas and river mouth management. The RTB project designs also consider climate change patterns, future extreme rainfall events, and hydrological data, rainfall records, and climate change projections.

Despite flood mitigation measures, complete avoidance of flooding is not guaranteed, especially during extreme rainfall events that surpass the design capacity of drainage and river systems. Improvements in Melaka include constructing more flood retention ponds, river upgrades, and the use of more efficient pump stations. The Sungai Baru Flood Mitigation Project in Masjid Tanah, for example, plans to create four flood retention ponds as a long-term solution to reduce recurring floods.

The Department of Irrigation and Drainage is also enhancing the use of digital technology and real-time data, such as flood forecasting systems, online river level monitoring, automated rainfall data, and hydrological and hydraulic modeling. These advancements aim to enable early forecasting and faster response times. Another flood mitigation project, estimated at RM145 million, has been submitted for approval under the Ministry of Economy's First Rolling Plan (RP1) of the 13th Malaysia Plan.

Flood management, according to Mohd Adnan, requires cooperation from all parties, with JPS building infrastructure, the effectiveness of which depends on development planning, developer discipline, and public awareness regarding drainage and river system maintenance.