MBSA Skuad Pantas personnel cutting branches of a fallen tree at a housing area in the city. — Courtesy of MBSA
THE government has been asked to allocate more funds under Budget 2025 to improve drainage in the Klang Valley.
Alliance for Safe Community chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said current drains were unable to cope with the large number of ongoing developments.
Lee also emphasised the need for proper planning to deal with floods and landslides.
“Every time there is a flood, there are some quarters who attribute it to factors like heavy rainfall or climate change.
“Though these factors are real, we must be able to anticipate and be prepared to address potential problems” he told StarMetro.
A downpour on Tuesday morning wreaked havoc across major cities in Klang Valley, disrupting traffic and causing delays to people’s routines.
In Kuala Lumpur, several major roads such as Jalan Parlimen, Jalan Damansara, Jalan Segambut and Jalan Genting Klang were briefly submerged.
Floodwaters also blocked roads leading to the Parliament building causing Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul to adjourn the session because some MPs were unable to reach the premises.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Dr Zaliha Mustafa said Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has activated portable pumps in Parliament’s vicinity to mitigate the floods.
The Stormwater Management and Road Tunnel (SMART) has also been activated, she added.
“There are existing pumps on the road leading to Parliament. DBKL added three more.
Flash flood at Jalan Chan Sow Lin, Kuala Lumpur. — DBKL Kuala Lumpur Command and Control Centre Facebook page.
“The situation was under control within 30 minutes, thanks to the quick action by DBKL and other agencies,” she said at a press conference after the launch of a cloud kitchen at Wangsa Sari People’s Housing Programme (PPR) yesterday.
In a social media post, the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) said floodwaters were also spotted along Damansara- Puchong Expressway (LDP) between Bandar Utama and Taman Tun Dr Ismail, causing two lanes to be closed to traffic.
Floodwaters receded shortly before noon.
In a Facebook post, Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) said personnel were dispatched to remove trees that had fallen in Jalan Emas 7/1E during heavy rain.
The post carried images of huge fallen trees blocking the two-lane road.
Photos also showed MBSA personnel from its Special Action Squad (Skuad Pantas) cutting branches of trees with a chainsaw.
MBSA said it was keeping watch on all flood hotspots in the city such as Kampung Melayu Subang, Taman Mesra, Section U1, Section 32 and Paya Jaras in Sungai Buloh.
Also being monitored were the sluice gates at a retention pond in Taman Sri Muda in Section 25, Shah Alam.
“So far, the water level and situation are under control,” added the city council.
Those facing an emergency may call MBSA’s Skuad Pantas at 03-5510 5811 (24-hour hotline).
Klang Royal City Council (MBDK) in a Facebook post, reminded residents near Port Klang to be on alert in anticipation of an unusual high tide, expected from Oct 17 to 20.
The tide is expected to reach between 5.5m and 5.8m.
Those needing help are advised to call Klang district disaster centre at 03-3371 6700 or WhatsApp 010-973 1963.
