The main road, Jalan Metro Perdana Barat, and neighbouring road, Jalan Metro Perdana Barat 17, which were flooded on Oct 30. — Courtesy pix
KUALA Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has been urged to review the drainage system along Jalan Metro Perdana Barat, as this main road in Kepong has become a hotspot for flash floods.
Speaking at a press conference, Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng’s assistant Dic Lai said the main road would be flooded after a 30-minute downpour.
“The MP’s office received numerous complaints in March this year that Jalan Metro Perdana Barat 17, the neighbourhood road adjacent to the main road, is frequently flooded.
“Following a site visit the same month with DBKL, we found that the houses in the middle of that road are on a lower level,” he said, adding that three houses were usually badly affected by flash floods.
“Due to the lower location, the drainage system is unable to channel water out of the neighbourhood to the monsoon drain along Jalan Metro Perdana Barat.
“We learnt from the authorities that there is no budget to upgrade the drainage system,” he said.
Lai added that a sound barrier, that was built during a road upgrade exercise earlier this year, had blocked part of the drainage system that channels water from the neighbourhood to the monsoon drain outside the area.
“To fix the the problem, the the drainage system and sound barrier might need to be redone.
“The repairs could be further complicated due to a DBKL bicycle lane running along the main road until Taman Metropolitan Kepong.”
Lai said a flash flood on Oct 2 affected the main road as well as Jalan Metro Perdana Barat 17.
A site visit was held at both roads earlier this month.
Lai said the matter has been escalated to DBKL’s Urban Transportation Department as well as Civil Engineering and Drainage Department.
