{
  "id": 7246392,
  "title": "Federal govt allocates RM1.46bil for eight Melaka flood mitigation projects",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/federal-govt-allocates-rm1-46bil-for-eight-melaka-flood-mitigation",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-14T04:09:37.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/regional/2026/09/1532436/federal-govt-allocates-rm146bil-eight-melaka-flood-mitigation"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Malaysian federal government has allocated RM1.46 billion for eight flood mitigation projects in Melaka, set to be implemented between 2021 and 2026. The projects, overseen by the Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA), aim to bolster protection for residents in flood-prone areas. Melaka's Department of Irrigation and Drainage (JPS) director, Mohd Adnan Ahmad Fauzi, stated that these projects are part of a larger, integrated effort to decrease flood risk and impact in the state. The projects encompass various flood mitigation initiatives, including the Alor Gajah Flood Mitigation Plan (Phase 1), Bandar Jasin, Bandar Merlimau, Sungai Putat, and Sungai Duyong RTBs. Additionally, the Krubong-Durian Tunggal Flood Mitigation Pond is being upgraded into a dual-purpose facility. While five projects are expected to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2027, one project is scheduled for completion in 2030. Six projects are currently underway, with two in the pre-implementation stage, both situated in Alor Gajah. Despite the ongoing projects yet to be fully completed, data from the Melaka Department of Irrigation and Drainage (JPS) Hydrology Unit and the National Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (PRABN) shows a decrease in flood hotspots, from 157 in 2021 to 106 in the previous year. Once completed, these projects are anticipated to safeguard over 50,000 residents in Melaka from flood risks. The flood mitigation strategy has shifted from a focus solely on river widening to a more comprehensive integrated river basin management approach. This includes considering climate change patterns and potential extreme rainfall events in future designs. However, it is acknowledged that these projects cannot guarantee complete prevention of flooding, especially during extreme rainfall events surpassing the designed capacity of drainage and river systems. Improvements in Melaka encompass the construction of more flood retention ponds, river upgrades, and enhanced use of pump stations. The department is also leveraging digital technology, real-time data, flood forecasting systems, and hydrological and hydraulic modeling for early forecasting and faster response times. Further, a RM145 million flood mitigation project has been submitted to the Ministry of Economy for approval under the First Rolling Plan of the 13th Malaysia Plan. Flood management necessitates cooperation from all parties, as the effectiveness of infrastructure relies on development planning, developer discipline, and public awareness about the maintenance of drainage and river systems.",
  "summary": "MELAKA: The federal government, through the Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA), has approved eight flood mitigation projects in Melaka worth a total of RM1.46 billion for the 2021–2026 period, aiming to enhance protection for residents in flood-prone areas.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Bernama",
        "title": "General : Federal Govt Allocates RM1.46 Bln For Eight Flood Mitigation Projects In Melaka",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/general-federal-govt-allocates-rm1-46-bln-for-eight-flood-mitigation",
        "published": "2026-09-14T04:00:04.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Federal govt allocates RM1.46b for eight flood mitigation projects in Melaka",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/federal-govt-allocates-rm1-46b-for-eight-flood-mitigation-projects-in",
        "published": "2026-09-14T04:45:27.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}