A 2013 Drainage and Irrigation Department (JPS) study estimated about RM9.32 billion is required to overcome flash floods in urban areas throughout the country.

The expenditure covers construction of urban drainage system infrastructure, short term or quick fix solutions and environmentally friendly urban drainage master plan in selected towns.

The matter was indicated in a statement issued after the Ninth National Water Resources Council meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin here today.

It said the meeting was also told that 102 urban areas had been identified as critical flash flood spots where heavy rain could raise water level in a short time and the existing drainage system could not cope with additional surface runoff water.

Also present at the meeting were Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri G. Palanivel, Deputy Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid as well as Selangor Menteri Besar Azmin Ali.

The meeting also looked into the sharing of resources and distribution of treated water between two neighbouring states as a platform for sharing raw water resources.

The move would assure both neighbouring states of water supply as well as to foster collaboration and understanding on the development and management of water supply.

Apart from that, the meeting also established that comprehensive guidelines and policies should be set up by both states so that the water resource usage was optimised.

The meeting also touched on the importance of ensuring dam structure security with the need to empower the existing dam operator technical team on this in each state.

The measure was also to ensure operation and maintenance of every dam was carried out more effectively.