SIBU: Many residents of Lorong Bougenvilla Timur 2F at Jalan Oya here have complained about the persistent accumulation of silt in the drainage system, severely affecting its functionality and causing prolonged waterlogging issues.
Residents have urged the Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) to arrange regular and prompt cleaning of the drains.
Upon receiving these complaints, Sibu Member of Parliament, Oscar Ling Chai Yew’s service centre team immediately visited the site on Tuesday to assess the situation.
Ling’s special assistant, Irene Wong, stated that according to residents, the heavy rainfall exacerbated the waterlogging issue, disrupting daily life and posing a flood risk to properties.
“Recent frequent downpours have caused rapid flooding of roads, making it difficult for residents to travel and even leading to water intrusion into homes, significantly impacting their daily lives,” she said in a statement today.
Wong said after inspecting the site, it was found that the primary cause of the flooding was the long-term accumulation of silt in the drains, severely obstructing the drainage system.
She said residents reported that the silt buildup in the drains had reached a depth of up to six inches, preventing smooth water flow and causing severe flooding whenever it rains heavily.
Wong believed that the drainage design of the residential area was flawed, as the system failed to channel rainwater effectively into the nearby lake.
As a result, she noted that excessive water accumulated in the drains, leading to overflow onto roads and residential areas, worsening the flooding problem.
Although the municipal council had previously sent personnel for drain cleaning, she said residents reported that the cleaning efforts were limited to the removal of surface trash, without addressing the silt accumulation.
As a result, she pointed out that while the drain surface might appear clean, the underlying silt continued to obstruct the drainage system, leaving the issue unresolved.
She emphasised that the long-standing problem has caused significant inconvenience to residents.
Besides disrupting daily travel, it also posed health and safety risks, she said, adding stagnant water could become a breeding ground for mosquitoes, increasing the risk of dengue fever and other diseases.
Additionally, she argued that prolonged waterlogging could weaken road durability, leading to further damage to essential infrastructure.
“The residents of Lorong Bougenvilla Timur strongly urge the SMC to take this issue seriously and implement effective measures, including dispatching additional personnel to conduct thorough and complete silt removal from the drains.
“I suggest that the council re-evaluate the residential area’s drainage system and develop a long-term solution to ensure a safe and comfortable living environment for residents, minimising flood-related losses and disruptions
“I hope that the council will take swift and concrete action to resolve this long-standing issue and improve the overall living conditions for residents,” Wong added.
