The Malaysian Meteorological Department issued a red alert at 1.30pm, warning that intermittent and sometimes heavy downpours in Kelantan and Terengganu this week could lead to more floods in low-lying areas near river banks.
Thunderstorms in the two states have already forced over 8,000 flood victims to flee to relief centres in Dungun, Kemaman, Marang, Setiu, Hulu Terengganu and Besut.
The Penang state government has said it needs RM970 million more from KL for flood mitigation projects to prevent flash floods.
It says it has identified seven more areas that require such projects and this would cost RM670 million. Another RM300 million would be needed for 50 water pump stations and five retention ponds.
Areas worst affected by floods are Jalan P Ramlee, Teluk Kumbar and Teluk Bahang on the island and kampongs near rivers on the mainland as well as Kampung Tok Suboh in Bukit Mertajam.
Activist Ong Eu Soon, however, says only a small fraction of that RM1 billion would be needed if the government were to opt for storm water management, which would involve building storm wells with filters in strategic locations. Check out his proposal, which he says uses the latest US technology.
