IMMEDIATE action must be taken to prevent the damaging and recurring floods in Janda Baik, Pahang, said Ketari assemblyman Young Syefura Othman.

She said the location is fast becoming a tourist favourite with its many chalets and resorts nestled in nature, but locals and visitors alike fear flash floods whenever it rains.

“The most important thing, which needs to be immediately done, is to deepen the river and clear the rocks and wood debris,” she told The Malaysian Insight.

“A high wall should be set up to prevent river water from overflowing and creating new ‘rivers’ and flooding the roads.”

Young Syefura said the drainage system also needs upgrading.

“The old drainage system cannot accommodate these chalets.

“I received a suggestion to put in place slope protection, where each slope has a drain to reduce the overflow of water.”

The floods earlier this week are the worst to hit Janda Baik since the ones in December.

Continuous heavy rain caused inundation and landslides in several areas in Janda Baik on Wednesday.

The Bentong Disaster Management Committee said more than 140 houses were flooded in Kampung Cheringin, Kampung Lampin, Kampung Pulau Santap and Kampung Sum-Sum.

The district police chief said the water level receded after a couple of hours, but several landslides still occurred.

On December 17 and 18, Janda Baik was also hit by massive floods, which ravaged other states, including Perak, Pahang, Selangor, Malacca and Negri Sembilan.

Opposition assemblymen urged the state government to draw up a comprehensive plan to tackle the floods, including deepening rivers and cleaning the drainage system during a state assembly sitting in March.

Young Syefura said Janda Baik floods are caused by residents’ river diversions and improper land clearing for agricultural and commercial projects.

“Following past floods, the river has become shallow due to rocks and sand, which are carried by the current. The river has also not been cleaned or deepened after the floods in December.” – May 14, 2022.