"The Department of Irrigation and Drainage, formerly known as the Drainage and Drainage Department (JPT), was established in 1932 and was given the responsibility to provide rice plant infrastructure."
In 1971, major floods hit Kuala Lumpur and damaged many properties. Following this incident, flood mitigation was added to the department from 1972 onwards.
Since 1986, seafront engineering has also become an additional function for JPT. The Department of Drainage and Irrigation Department (JPT) rebuilt to the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) took place on 15 March 1989. DID has also moved from the Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-based Ministry to the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry on 27 March 2004. Currently, the main duties of DID include water resources management and hydrology, river basin management and eco-friendly coastal zone and drainage.
The State of Perak Darul Ridzuan has a River Basin which covers 70% of the total land area of Perak of 20,343 sq km. Whereas there are 800 river streams including rivers and 11 main river basins with 48 sub-basins.