MELAKA: Melaka aims to be a flood-free state by 2025 through the use of innovative mitigation technology, says Datuk Seri Idris Haron (pic).

The rural development and flood mitigation committee chairman said the proposed technology, coupled with conventional mitigation programmes, would have a significant impact in overcoming flooding problems, especially in villages.

“A short-term plan (we put in place) managed to prevent major flooding during heavy downpours in the past few months, and this will be incorporated into the outline of our mitigation blueprint,” he said on Friday (Aug 28).

Idris said digital platforms to monitor and automate valves to channel excessive water to storage tanks and bunds would also be in the blueprint.

“There is a need to look into activating water discharge whenever the state records high volumes of rainfall through the help of technology,” he said.

He added that this indigenous flood assessment system was being developed with the collaboration of researchers from a local university.

“Floods have been a perpetual problem for the state in view. Huge allocations were utilised by the state government to provide financial aid and to house flood evacuees at relief centres,” he said.

The blueprint for making Melaka a flood-free state would help to minimise losses, as well as to reduce flood vulnerabilities, he added.