An abandoned car is almost covered by overgrown shrubs near the Sungai Langat river reserve in Kampung Baru Seri Dengkil. The area is prone to flooding. — Photos: SS KANESAN/The Star
THE recently constructed Sungai Langat embankment in Dengkil, Sepang in Selangor, has given way and residents in nearby Taman Permata and the surroundings worry it can lead to floods.
Sepang Municipal Council (MPSepang) member Kenneth Lee noticed the collapsed bund during a visit to check on complaints about the pothole-riddled roads in the neighbourhood.
“The collapsed bund are a serious problem because the weather is unpredictable and there has been continuous heavy rain lately.
“The location of the bund in Dengkil is midstream of Sungai Langat.
“Upstream is Hulu Langat district, which is a flood-prone area,” he said.
“Even if it does not rain here, there is a chance Taman Permata could flood because of water rising in the river when it rains in other parts of Hulu Langat district,” he elaborated.
Kenneth said the construction of the bunds was part of Sungai Langat Flood Mitigation Plan Phase 1.
A motorcyclist avoiding a pothole on a road near Sungai Langat river reserve in Dengkil.
“I have informed the Sepang DID (Drainage and Irrigation Department) officer in-charge to look into this immediately,” he said.
On potholes, he said the residents claimed that the road reserve next to Sungai Langat was damaged because of heavy vehicles moving in and out during the construction of the bund.
“Many motorists, especially motorcyclists, use the road.
“There have been many accidents because motorcyclists run into potholes.
“I hope the potholes and the collapsed bund will be repaired soon,” Kenneth added.
Chong Sin Yoon, 76, who lives in Kampung Baru Seri Dengkil, said the Sungai Langat river reserve had never been cleared of shrubs.
The village was located near Taman Permata and next to Sungai Langat, she said.
“Besides repairing the road, I hope the authorities will also help clear the shrubs along the river reserve.
“I live next to the river reserve and I used to clear the shrubs on my own but I cannot do it anymore as my legs are not so steady now,” said Chong, adding that she lived with her son, who had multiple health issues.
Another villager, Law Yeck Long, 64, who runs a farm nearby, said he regularly helped Chong clean up her house compound.
“I do what I can to help when I am free.
“That is how life is in a village, we help each other,” he said, adding that he recently helped Chong cut overgrown grass in her garden.
Kampung Baru Seri Dengkil community management council chairman Lee Kwai Onn, who accompanied Kenneth during the visit, said Sepang DID needed to take proactive measures to ensure the bunds built along Sungai Langat were always in good condition.
“Taman Permata has been badly affected by floods in the past because Sungai Langat overflows.
“During the major floods in December 2021, water rose up to two metres.
“Many had to throw away their flood-damaged belongings and buy new ones.
“Another round of floods would be devastating for the residents,” said Kwai Onn.
Sepang DID could not be reached at press time for comments.
