An aerial view of Little India in Klang’s Jalan Tengku Kelana. Parts of the area are prone to flash floods. — Filepic
TRADERS on Jalan Tengku Kelana in Klang want the local authority to take action to clear the drains in front of their shops, as it overflows during heavy rain.
Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry trustee NP Raman said the middle stretch of the road is prone to flash floods due to clogged drains.
He urged Klang Royal City Council (MBDK) to take immediate steps to keep the drains clean so that the water could flow unimpeded.
“Shopkeepers want MBDK’s Environmental Services Department to clean up the drains in front of the shops that had been covered,” he said.
Traders told StarMetro that the affected stretch starts from the main road at the intersection of Jalan Tengku Kelana and Jalan Pulasan until the entrance of Jalan Yeo Guan Hup, an alley that also sees ankle-deep floodwaters.
Raman, a former chairman of Entrepreneurs Association of Little India Klang, said that both sides of the dual carriageway of Jalan Tengku Kelana were affected by flash floods.
“We understand that Jalan Tengku Kelana is under the purview of the Public Works Department (JKR) Klang district while Jalan Yeo Guan Hup and Jalan Pulasan is under MBDK.
“Shopkeepers want both agencies to look at how best to overcome the situation, including the possibility of upgrading the drainage network to prevent flash floods,” he said.
Raman showing how high the water rises when it rains heavily, inundating shoplots along Jalan Tengku Kelana in Klang’s Little India.— LOW BOON TAT/The Star
Another businessman G. Pushpanathan said floods also occur in the back lanes of Lorong Rembau parallel to Jalan Tengku Kelana.
Shopowners at Lorong Rembau see water rising to their doorstep after only half-an-hour of rain.
“Drains along Lorong Rembau were built decades ago and can no longer cope with surface runoff during heavy rain. They need to be upgraded,” said Pushpanathan.
He added that MBDK must conduct an audit of all drains in Klang’s Little India to earmark which ones needed to be cleaned and those with culverts needing repair.
MBDK Environmental Services Department director Zaireezal Ahmad Zainuddin acknowledged the low-lying area of Jalan Tengku Kelana was prone to flash floods.
“Cleaning of drains on both sides of Jalan Tengku Kelana had been carried out from March 25 to 27 and again from May 10 to 21.
“The schedule will be followed and we will clean the drains again,” he said.
Zaireezal added that a water jet would be used to flush the silt, and a suction unit to remove the dirt.
Klang district JKR director Zaizul Hisham Zainol confirmed that Jalan Tengku Kelana is under JKR’s purview.
“On Aug 2, MBDK applied for Jalan Tengku Kelana to come under the council’s purview.
“We will conduct a site visit and hold a discussion soon.
“Once handed over to the council, upgrading works for the drains will come under MBDK,” said Zaizul.
