Threat of big floods

What say you on the issue below?

Drains in Lebuhraya Darulaman and areas near landmarks including Istana Anak Bukit still clogged

Part of the area has been cleared but the waterway is still overgrown with lush vegetation.

Streets recently highlighted the lack of pre-emptive measures being taken by the state government and other authorities to prevent the recurrence of last November's massive floods.

We took snapshots of clogged drains and waterways overgrown with vegetation in areas prone to flash floods in Alor Star and there were aplenty.

That was about two weeks ago.

We revisited the places and much to our surprise, little has changed.

The drains in Lebuhraya Darulaman, one of the busiest roads in Alor Star and where several prime buildings are located, including the Istana Anak Bukit, were still clogged with thick vegetation.

A canal of sorts that ends abruptly in front of SMK Kepala Batas still remains.

Household refuse dumped in drains still poses a health hazard in a number of housing estates in and around Alor Star.

In Kepala Batas, along Jalan Hutan Kampung, the thick grass on one side of a drain, next to the Royal Malaysian Air Force College, has been cleared while on the other side, tall weeds have invaded the road shoulder as well as the narrow and shallow drain.

All these are rampant in Alor Star, the seat of the state government and where during the height of the floods, many housing estates turned into instant "islands" overnight.

The authorities may be doing their job to clear all waterways and clogged drains, but it appears that this is being carried out quite slowly.