Johor bahru: Repair works on the levee at Kampung Sungai Berong Laut, Rengit, which failed and collapsed on June 28 last year, are being carried out in phases using several methods, including the installation of 1,865 jumbo sandbags. Johor Public Works, Transport, Infrastructure and Communications Committee chairman Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh said the number of jumbo sandbags installed represents 93.25 per cent of the total 2,000 bags planned for the project.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, 65.7 per cent of the targeted 1,350 coconut trees have also been planted to help mitigate the impact of sea waves. Mohamad Fazli stated, "To strengthen the levee, the installation of Armour Rock along a 64-metre stretch has reached 33.5 per cent completion, while land reclamation works along a 48-metre section have achieved 24 per cent progress." He shared this update in a Facebook post today.

Mohamad Fazli further mentioned that works to raise the levee height to three metres will also be undertaken to provide better protection for residents and to prevent seawater from overflowing into residential areas. The emergency repair project is being implemented to safeguard the lives and property of local residents through measures to seal the breached levee.

The repair works are challenged by the need to be carried out during low tide conditions and by weather-related challenges, including high tides that can reach up to 3.4 metres, compared with the existing levee height of about 2.4 to 2.6 metres. Previously, media reports highlighted complaints from residents in the affected village who were impacted by tidal flooding, forcing some to be evacuated to temporary transit centres. Residents also claimed the incident resulted in losses, including damaged crops, livestock deaths, and damaged household furniture.