KUCHING: Dry ponds, designed to temporarily store stormwater runoff before releasing it into nearby streams, are still needed to address flash flood issues in the city, particularly around the Sarawak General Hospital (SGH).
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian said this when asked about recent flash floods in Sarawak.
He shared that in Batu Kawa, there are four dry ponds under construction, spanning over 30 acres of land.
“If you look at SGH, which historically had not experienced flooding, now faces such issues due to surrounding developments, particularly Kozi Square.
“Until today, no one can prove that water can go against gravity. Before Kozi Square was built, the water would flow to the lowest area.
“Once Kozi Square was built on higher ground, SGH is the new lowest point,” he said after officiating the Chinese New Year fire safety campaign at Wisma Wan, Tabuan Jaya today (Jan 21).
When asked about the proposed dry pond at the old Nurses’ Quarters building, Dr Sim added that Deputy State Secretary (Economic Planning and Development) Datuk Seri Dr Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel has chaired a meeting with all the stakeholders on the matter.
“They have identified some solutions and are taking action, but we still need the pond,” he said, without elaborating on the proposed measures.
Dr Sim, who is also Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government, acknowledged the heritage value of the old quarters building, but stressed that SGH’s functionality as a key state hospital must take precedence.
“SGH is not just a state hospital. It accommodates about 90 per cent of our specialist services, and we cannot afford to have these services be disrupted by flooding,” he stressed.
