Behrang Stesen:The Sungai Bernam Flood Mitigation Project (RTB) at Pekan Behrang Stesen is nearing completion, currently at 97% progress, and aims to enhance flood protection for approximately 1,000 residents from the overflow of Sungai Bandan.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Perak Infrastructure, Energy, Water and Public Transport Committee chairman Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin stated that the RM7 million initiative is 34 days, or 8%, ahead of its planned schedule, with actual progress at 97% compared to the scheduled 89% as of October 20. The project, which commenced on January 28 last year, is anticipated to be fully completed by January 11, 2027, without requiring any additional funds beyond the original allocation.
The project features a 2.5-hectare flood retention pond with a depth of 2.5 meters and a capacity of 62,500 cubic meters of water, alongside a 775-meter earth bund designed to mitigate the risk of Sungai Bandan's overflow into nearby residential areas. Mohammad Nizar highlighted that the project aims to provide flood protection up to a 20-year Average Recurrence Interval (ARI). However, he cautioned that extreme rainfall beyond the design capacity could still result in flooding.
Additional components of the project include the rehabilitation of a 250-meter stretch of Sungai Bandan, construction of 550 meters of earth drains and 400 meters of U-drains, installation of a new flap gate, upgrading of three existing water-control gates, and erection of a 700-meter safety fence. Furthermore, the Perak Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) is performing regular maintenance at Sungai Pauh and Sungai Bandan, with an annual cost estimated at RM400,000 funded by state and federal allocations.
The DID is also engaged in a master plan study for flood mitigation across the Sungai Bernam basin, covering regions in Perak and Selangor. This study aims to identify flood-prone areas and devise comprehensive flood mitigation strategies, including rainfall and river-level monitoring systems and early-warning sirens.