A total of 289 incidents of landslide, embankment failure as well as roads being cut off were reported within two weeks of heavy rain and flooding in Kuching, Serian and Samarahan.

Works Minister Fadillah Yusof said 18 incidents occurred on federal roads while the rest occurred on state roads.

“Repair works for flood-damaged roads and embankments have been completed. Right now we are carrying out cleaning works and evaluating slope stability to prevent future failures,” he told a press conference in Kuching yesterday.

Earlier, Fadillah launched the Malaysian Construction Academy Graduation ceremony and Construction Industry Transformation Program (CITP) 2016 ‘Aku Janji’ (pledges) signing ceremony.

One hundred graduates received the Competency Certificate while 30 Sarawak industry leaders signed the CITP.

On the flood situation in Kuching, Fadillah said studies had been conducted to build a canal from Kampung Paroh to Sungai Salak to channel the flood water into the sea.

He said the canal would reduce the risk of flooding in the area.

Fadillah also hoped that future construction and development projects would take into account all the factors, including the environment.

- Bernama