Lai (third from right), Lau (second from right) and Nasaruddin (fourth from right) checking the concrete water sump with residents of both villages. — SAMUEL ONG/The Star
Residents from two villages in Gombak can now heave a sigh of relief after the completion of a drainage upgrading project to reduce, if not resolve, the flash flood problem that plagued both villages.
Previously, Kampung Lee Kong Chian and Kampung Kerdas experienced flash floods whenever there was a downpour.
The old drainage system that included an earth drain that could no longer accommodate the amount of rainwater in the area would cause a backflow of water into the villages during heavy rain.
The earth drain, which served as a water sump for both villages, is located at the border of two local authorities’ jurisdiction which are Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) and Selayang Municipal Council.
DBKL officers and representatives from both villages held a site meeting in September 2021 to discuss the drainage upgrading project, but the project was delayed because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Kampung Kerdas village head Nasaruddin Mohd Darwis said Jalan Kerdas 1 and Jalan Kerdas 2 were flooded when it rained.
“Previously, water from the village drains would flow into an earth drain that serves as a catchment area before channelling out to Sungai Gombak,” he said.
“However, we found that sediment and clogged drains prevented the water from flowing effectively into the river, thus causing backflow into the village.
“We hope the upgrades which include a concrete water sump and new drainage pipes can channel the water out the villages efficiently,” said Nasaruddin during a press conference held at the Kampung Lee Kong Chian community hall.
Nearby the water sump, 0.6m high water marks can be seen on the wall of the nearest houses in Kampung Kerdas, indicating the height of the water during downpours.
Kampung Lee Kong Chian deputy village head Kevin Lau also hoped that the project would address flash flood issues which had worsened in the past two years.
The drainage upgrading project resumed last December, with the Selangor Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) and DBKL carrying out separate upgrading works in areas under their respective jurisdictions.
Wangsa Maju PKR chief Andre Lai said Selangor DID started the drainage upgrade work before DBKL continued the project in February this year.
“The entire project was completed last week,” he said.
