The drain outlet behind the houses has been cemented over because of construction work next door.
BLOCKED drains at several houses on Jalan Terkukur in RPT Pengkalan Pegoh, Ipoh, Perak, has left its residents fearful of floods.
Retired civil servant Rohanim Abdul Rashid said the drain outlet at the back of the houses had been closed off and cemented because of construction work on a plot next to her home.
The 57-year-old said the construction work started around the end of November and she fears that torrential rainfall during the current monsoon season will inundate the area.
“Even though my home is located on higher ground, there have been flash floods here before in 2014 and 2016,” she told StarMetro when met recently.
“I fear for my neighbours down the road as their homes are located on lower ground,” she said, adding that she had been living in the neighbourhood for 22 years.
Rohanim is also unhappy that the owner of the plot of land started construction work without consulting neighbours including her.
“He has closed off part of the road as well and this has inconvenienced the people here,” she said.
“The road is a popular shortcut for the folk here to get to Jalan Simpang Pulai-Lahat.
“We are now forced to drive on an uneven road that is filled with potholes and has no street lights,” she added.
Rohanim urged the authorities to review the application from the landowner.
“It could have been an oversight by the authorities.
“I hope there can be a solution to the matter, especially on the diverted road and drainage system,” she said.
When contacted, Ipoh city councillor Tony Khoo said representatives from relevant agencies including Ipoh City Council, Penghulu’s Office and the Land and Mines Department visited the site some time back.
“It is an old issue.
“The plot of land the individual applied for was legally alienated and it was done according to the approved layout,” said Khoo.
”According to the original layout plan, the road (that was part of Jalan Kakak Tua and is now closed off) was not supposed to be built there in the first place,” he said, adding that the authorities only became aware of it later on.
“The authorities will now have to look into resolving the issues pertaining to building a new road and repairing the drainage connection,” said Khoo.
The drain outlet behind the houses has been cemented over because of construction work next door.
Part of Jalan Kakak Tua at RPT Pengkalan Pegoh has been closed and vehicles diverted to an uneven and pothole-riddled road.
Rohanim worries that heavy rain can cause flooding in her home as the drain outlet is blocked.
