United Garden in Kuala Lumpur was hit by flash floods in April this year. — Filepic
FLASH floods often occur in areas with dense population and rapid development, hence putting Klang Valley at greater risk.
The Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) said in a statement that Selangor and the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur would potentially experience flash floods during the northeast monsoon, which is expected to last until February.
Other states in similar situation include Negri Sembilan, Melaka, Pahang, Johor and Penang.
“Heavy rainfall and inadequate drainage systems can also lead to flash floods.
“A total of 5,648 locations in 161 districts and two Federal Territories have been identified as flood hotspots in Malaysia,” said the DID statement.
In coastal areas, states prone to high tide include Selangor (Klang, Port Klang, Pulau Carey), Penang (Seberang Prai), Melaka (around Sungai Melaka) and Johor (Tebrau Strait, Johor Strait and Batu Pahat).
Tidal floods typically occur due to high tide and inclement weather.
To prepare for the monsoon, DID disbursed RM100mil in emergency funds to all states.
“The department has intensified preparations to reduce the risk of floods affecting the public.
“The National Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (PRABN) has deployed personnel for 24-hour flood forecasting and warning operations from Nov 1 until the end of the northeast monsoon.
“Flood warning notices will be issued as early as two days in advance to disaster management agencies and residents based on flood forecast model information.
“A total of 737 units of pumps of various capacities under the maintenance of DID’s mechanical and electrical division (BPME), have been placed in all flood hotspot locations nationwide.
“DID has also ensured that flood warning sirens installed in major rivers prone to flooding are functioning properly.
“Officers will monitor the water level from time to time via closed-circuit television camera (CCTV) feed,” the statement said.
The average rainfall for peninsular Malaysia increased slightly last year at 2,928.12mm compared to 2,599.54mm in 2021.
DID said extreme rainfall could still cause detention ponds to overflow even though they were built according to Urban Stormwater Management Manual (MSMA) specifications.
Izham says Selangor has 40 pumps that will be mobilised to specific locations when needed.
It added that maintenance of detention ponds had been conducted.
In SELANGOR, 40 water pumps able to move a high volume of surface runoff would be positioned at high-risk areas throughout the northeast monsoon.
State infrastructure and agriculture committee chairman Izham Hashim said these pumps would be moved to areas at risk of floods due to continuous rain.
He said the state would liaise with Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) to ensure the pumps have electricity supply to operate when water rose in the sumps.
“We are equipped with 40 pumps, of which 30 are from Kumpulan Semesta Sdn Bhd.
“They are on standby and will be mobilised to specific locations.
“We have to be ready with the generators as there is no use having pumps without generators.
“TNB has been asked to provide mobile generators for the water pumps,” he added.
Izham said the upgrading of the pump system in Taman Sri Muda, Shah Alam, was ongoing and expected to be completed in February.
“Once completed, the area will have nine water pumps so we hope there will no longer be major flooding there.
“The Federal Government has also approved an allocation of RM160mil for the construction of flood barriers, specifically in Section 25 where Taman Sri Muda is located,” he said.
During the major floods on Dec 17 and 18 of 2021, floodwaters in Taman Sri Muda reached up to 4m, leaving many single-storey houses completely submerged.
To get the latest updates from the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia), go to www.met.gov.my or myCuaca app.
