PASIR PUTEH: About 70% of the construction work at sections 1 and 2 of the East Coast Rail Line (ECRL), covering 82km from Tunjong here to Setiu in Terengganu was affected by the floods that occurred last week.
Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd (MRL) construction manager (sections 1 and 2) Mohd Azemi Abdullah said the affected locations involved preliminary works such as forest clearing and were in low-lying areas.
“The earthworks are affected by rainwater (flooding) and we are unable to work,” he told reporters after handing over donations to flood victims at the Bukit Abal Penggawa office yesterday.
However, Mohd Azemi said the floods did not cause delay in the construction work including the bridge construction.
“Only if it rains, we have to stop operations, except for work that is at a height of more than 2m from the ground level,” he said.
It was reported that Kelantan had experienced intense rainfall last week, causing many areas in the state to be inundated.
The state Drainage and Irrigation Department recorded rainfall intensity of 627mm in Kampung Wakaf Raja, Bukit Yong near Pasir Puteh on Dec 18 – the highest since 1967.