MELAKA, Sept 14 — 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.
Melaka Department of Irrigation and Drainage (JPS) director Mohd Adnan Ahmad Fauzi said these projects are part of the federal and state governments’ integrated efforts to reduce the risk and impact of flooding in the state.
He noted that the projects include the Alor Gajah Flood Mitigation Plan (RTB) Phase 1, Bandar Jasin RTB, Bandar Merlimau RTB, Sungai Putat RTB, and Sungai Duyong RTB, as well as the upgrading of the Krubong-Durian Tunggal Flood Mitigation Pond into a dual-purpose facility serving both flood mitigation and state water supply needs.
“Of the six projects currently underway, five are expected to be fully completed by the fourth quarter of 2027, while the remaining project is slated for completion in 2030.
“The two projects still in the pre-implementation stage are the Melaka River Flood Mitigation Project (RTB) Phase 1 and the Sungai Baru RTB in Alor Gajah; both are currently in the design phase,” he told Bernama.
Mohd Adnan said although none of the RTB projects have been fully completed to date, flood hotspot data released by the Melaka Department of Irrigation and Drainage (JPS) Hydrology Unit and the National Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (PRABN) indicates a reduction in hotspots—from 157 in 2021 to 106 last year.
“Once all these RTB projects are fully completed, we anticipate that over 50,000 residents in Melaka will be protected against flood risks,” he said.
Mohd Adnan explained that the effectiveness of the ongoing projects is evaluated using flood monitoring data — covering frequency, duration, and depth of flooding, the extent of affected areas, and rainfall data.
He noted that this data is continuously monitored by the Melaka Water Resources and Hydrology Management Division and the PRABN to assist JPS in assessing the effectiveness of the implemented mitigation measures.
In a related development, Mohd Adnan mentioned that the flood mitigation approach in Melaka has shifted away from a sole focus on river widening; instead, it has moved towards integrated river basin management, spanning from upstream catchment areas down to the river mouth.
“The RTB project designs also take into account climate change patterns and the potential for more extreme rainfall events in the future, based on hydrological data, rainfall records, and climate change projections.
“However, flood mitigation projects cannot guarantee that flooding will be completely avoided, particularly during extreme rainfall events that exceed the design capacity of drainage and river systems,” he said.
He noted that improvements implemented in Melaka include the construction of more flood retention ponds, river upgrades, and the use of more efficient pump stations.
For instance, he cited the Sungai Baru Flood Mitigation Project (RTB) in Masjid Tanah, which proposes the creation of four flood retention ponds as a long-term measure to reduce recurring floods.
Mohd Adnan stated that the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (JPS) is also enhancing the use of digital technology and real-time data—including flood forecasting systems, online river level monitoring, automated rainfall data, and hydrological and hydraulic modeling—to enable early forecasting and faster response times.
He added that another flood mitigation project, with an estimated cost of RM145 million, has been submitted for the consideration and approval of the Ministry of Economy under the First Rolling Plan (RP1) of the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK13).
“Flood management also requires cooperation from all parties; while JPS can build infrastructure, its effectiveness depends on development planning, developer discipline, and public awareness regarding the maintenance of drainage and river systems,” he said. — Bernama
Date: 14 September, 2026 12:45 pm
Source: Malay Mail
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