PASIR MAS: The federal government has approved RM6 million for the construction of three temporary embankments in Rantau Panjang.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said one of the three would replace the embankment that collapsed at the Sungai Golok Integrated River Basin Development Project (PLSB) in Kampung Lanchang.
The other two, he said, would be set up in the same area too.
"I do not know what is the cause for the incident but there was a suggestion to set up three temporary embankments in the area costing about RM2 million each.
"Therefore, l have approved RM6 million immediately today for the project.
"One of the three temporary embankments can replace the one that had collapsed recently.
"This project is not like the normal project and it can be done faster," he told a press conference here today.
Anwar said the temporary embankment project can start as soon as possible.
On Tuesday, the embankment at Sungai Golok in Kampung Lanchang in Rantau Panjang collapsed due to strong currents.
The collapsed embankment had a width of 20m.
The embankment was only about 10m high, while the water level of Sungai Golok on Tuesday breached 11.03 metres.
Anwar also announced five new projects to address the flood issues in Kelantan are expected to commence the procurement process next year, with a total estimated cost of RM910.52 million.
"The almost RM1 billion allocation shows our focus on the flood issues as the people in Kelantan bear the brunt of these floods. Therefore, flood mitigation projects are given top priority in Kelantan," he added.
