PUTRAJAYA: The National Water Resources Council has been told that RM9.32 billion allocation is needed to address flash flood problems in the urban areas nationwide.
The estimated amount was based on a research conducted by the Drainage and Irrigation Department last year.
The council, in a statement issued after a meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin today, said the funding would be used to build irrigation infrastructure in the urban areas, to provide short-term quick win solutions and to draft an environmentally friendly urban irrigation masterplan for selected cities.
The same research has also identified 102 areas that face critical flash flood problems across the country.
The council was also weighing the possibility of setting up a collaborative platform between two neighbouring states to share treated water resources to ensure water security.
"A comprehensive guideline and policies are also needed to ensure states involved can collaborate and share their raw water resources to optimise its usage and benefits," it added.
Also present in the three-hour meeting were Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri G. Palanivel; Energy, Green Technology and Water deputy minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid and Selangor Menteri Besar Azmin Ali.