I did some research and picked up an article published by BERNAMA(source: http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=198297 )
May 19, 2006 10:27am
Is the Sarawak River Barrage To Be Blamed For Massive Floods?
By Linda Khoo Hui Li
Kuching, May 19 (Bernama)-- Is the Sungai Sarawak Barrage in Sejingkat to be blamed for the floods in 2003 and 2004?
The floods were the worst to hit Sarawak after 1963, where thousands in Kuching, Bau, Kota Samarahan and Sibu were evacuated. Many primary and secondary schools in low-lying areas were closed for days.
Kuching suffered severe losses in the 2003 and 2004 floods.
CRISTICISM, POLITICAL ISSUES
Due to this massive losses, the Sungai Sarawak barrage had became the subject of criticisms and was turned into a political issue.
An opposition party claimed the barrage's failure to control the river's water level as the main cause of floods in the state's low-lying areas.
However residents gave the thumbs up for the Sungai Sarawak barrage.
A resident of Kampung Melayu Tabuan, one of the villages near the river's lower course, said before the construction of the barrage, floods would hit villages located along Sungai Sarawak at least twicw a month--during the 1st and 15th day in the Chinese calender.
SUNGAI SARAWAK REGULATION SCHEME
Kuching Barrage Management Sdn. Bhd. general manager, Captain Goh Chin Guan, said the barrage, which comprises the first-ever barrage and shiplock in South East Asian, a fly-over and two causeways-- one across Sungai Santubong at Bako and the other across Sungai Sarawak at Pending, is part of the Sungai Sarawak Regulation Scheme (SSRS)
The barrage's design was based on the 1963 flood situation, with input from british and danish experts. The structure has shown to be effective in mitigating floods in Kuching.
If not for the barrage, Kuching City could have been flooded on a number occasions, Goh said.
He said a sophiscated software system, known as MIKE II is the 'brains' behind all data collection and information needed to operate the barrage.
He said real-time water and rain fall data is collected by the telemetry system and based on computational model of the river. The predicted discharge and water level are two factors in deciding when to operate the barrage gates.
REMOTE STATIONS
Remote stations at various catchment areas, stretching from Padawan to Bau, where the Sungai Sarawak Kanan and Kiri start will exact the amount of rainfall and water level, he said.
All the data is available on computer and monitored contantly.
Man and technology are pitted against nature to help control the river's water level.
"Although we cannot control the weather but at least we have put in a system that gives us early flood warning. By then we are able to advise people to take necessary precautions," Goh said.
HIGH TIDE
Goh said this process would take about 5 hours and last until the high tide when the levels of water downstream and upstream of the barrage are about the same.
He said the 5 hour process of creating a reservoir to receive the water from the catchment is sufficient to prevent riverwater from overflowing the banks.
However, the barrage has its limitations especially when the rainy period coincide with the 'king tide' days.
When this happens, the gates will be left opened to allow free flow of water. With that, flooding time will be drastically shortened and limiting the areas affected.
The massive flood is a phenomenon caused by heavy rain and the 'king tide' that hindered discharge of floodwater into the sea.
"This is the cause of the massive floods that hit Kuching, Kota Samarahan and Bau in 2003 and 2004," Goh said, adding that the completion of the barrage has drastically reduces sedimentation on the riverbank, thus resulting in cleaner and clearer water.
I rest my case...
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Die la like this!!!
Vandals damage sensors of flood warning system
KUCHING: The flood that displaced almost half a million people in Kuching, especially those living along Sungai Sarawak, is still fresh in the minds of the locals even though four years have passed. The flood is the worst since the last one in 1963.
Today dwellers along Sungai Sarawak Kanan and Sungai Sarawak Kiri have every reason to feel uneasy during the wet spell.
The Controller of Sarawak Rivers Board (SRB) Muhamad Yacub Kari noted that the 2003 flood provided a valuable lesson for all parties and prompted the implementation of the flood early warning system.
“Sungai Sarawak is among the earliest in the country to install a sophisticated flood early warning system,” he told Bernama.
Muhamad Yacub said the RM2.8 million warning system known as Remote Radio Communication Station (RRCS) utilises Australian expertise and technology to provide early warning for Kuching residents.
“Each of the RRCS stations is fitted with siren to warn people living within one km radius,” he said.
However, Muhamad Yacub lamented that the system is only 80 per cent functional as the sensors and rain gauge installed at 24 RRCS stations along Sungai Sarawak Kanan and Sungai Sarawak have been vandalised, if not stolen.
“At present five of the 24 RRCS stations are no longer functional, several components like batteries, solar panels and others either have been stolen or damaged,” he said.
It is most unfortunate that the system that is meant to protect the people has fallen victim to vandalism, he said, sadly.
Muhamad Yakub said the RRCS is part of the Sarawak Barrage System that plays a vital role in flood mitigation.
Thus without RRCS functioning optimally, flood mitigation is also affected.
The barrage with five 25-metre gates can empty 3500 millilitre of water per second into the sea.
Looking at the dismal situation, the SRB is taking steps to protect the RRCS stations from falling victim to vandalism, which includes the establishment of a mobile surveillance team.
Muhamad Yakub said shifting the RRCS station that are easy targets for vandals would be the last resort as the cost of shifting each station could easily reach RM170,000.
“We appeal to the society to protect public property in the best interest of everyone. The RRCS stations are public property,” he said.
— Bernama
Thieves targeting Sarawak’s communications stations
By JACK WONG
KUCHING: Thieves have been taking anything they can lay their hands on at the Sarawak Rivers Board's remote radio communication stations.
The board had spent some RM2mil to set up 24 such stations, which serve to send out flood warnings, along the Sarawak River here.
The Board's controller Muhamad Yakup said thefts of accessories had been reported at five of the stations, which could no longer function without key components.
“At the station in Kampung Skio, its trunk radio, an air compressor, a surge arrestor, copper rods and radio cables were stolen. The loss incurred is estimated at RM35,000.
''The station in Satok Bridge has been vandalised four times,'' he said during a site inspection to the Satok station on Saturday.
Other stations which have been the target of thieves are at Taman Yen Yen in Matang, SRB Chung Hua No 6 in Sungai Maong and in Kampung Grogo, Bau.
Muhamad said the board was concerned with the spate of thefts as the state was now bracing for the monsoon rains and possible floods.
Describing these stations as the ''last defence'' against floods, Muhamad said the board would set up a mobile team to patrol these stations to curb thefts.
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