Workers using a backhoe to clean the monsoon drain at Jalan Bunga Raya in Meru. — KK SHAM/The Star
CONTRACTORS hired by Klang Royal City Council (MBDK) have begun desilting monsoon drains in Meru.
Backhoes and manual methods are being employed to clear drains that are filled with vegetation, silt and rubbish.
MBDK Environmental Services Department director Zaireezal Ahmad Zainuddin said the city council had allocated RM519,136 to clean up monsoon drain lines including earth-cut drains in three areas.
“In the first area, contractors will cover Taman Meru Indah, Kawasan Bukit Kapar 2, Bukit Kapar 1, Taman Sri Kapar, Taman Meru Putra, Taman Desa Permai 3 and Taman Desa Bukit Nilam,” he said.
Zaireezal: Private contracts to clean monsoon drains will end in February.The second area covers Jalan Teratai, Jalan Abadi 1A, Jalan Dahlia, Jalan Beruas, Jalan Puding, Jalan Bunga Raya and Jalan Kenangan while the third area comprise Jalan Khamis, Jalan Kasban, Jalan Jabbar, Jalan Kassim, Jalan Salleh industrial area, Jalan Abdul Manan 1 and Jalan Abdul Manan.
“MBDK outsources the cleaning works of monsoon drains as it requires mechanical excavators and manpower.
“We began cleaning monsoon drains in flood-prone parts of Meru before the major floods last month,” said Zaireezal.
He said private contracts to clean the monsoon drains would end in February 2025.
“Major cleaning is being carried out following public complaints at identified flood hotspots,” he added.
Zaireezal said MBDK had even carried out one-off cleaning of monsoon drain lines in some areas that overlapped with the district’s Public Works Department (JKR).
“Due to torrential rain, contractors are working in stages throughout the next few weeks to desilt monsoon drains.
“These drains are a priority to ensure smoother flow of surface runoff before heavier rain that is expected in February,” he said.
He added that work to clear monsoon drains outside Meru were ongoing with another 11 contractors.
“Other areas are Taman Eng Ann, Taman Berkeley, Klang Utama, Sementa, Klang Perdana, Rantau Panjang, Bandar Bukit Raja 1, Bandar Bukit Raja 2, Bandar Sultan Suleiman 1, Bandar Sultan Suleiman 2, Jalan Dato Tahir Manan, Bukit Kapar 1 housing area, Jalan Haji Sirat, Jalan Sungai Puloh, Jalan Goh Hock Huat and Jalan Bakti.”
He added that work at these areas saw excavators, backhoes and shovels being used to remove large amounts of rubbish, sludge and sand.
When asked about flood-prone Taman Melawis, Zaireezal said he would visit the neighbourhood to ensure all water channels were cleaned thoroughly by KDEB Waste Management.
“If the drains are not clean, fines will be issued to the contractor and an immediate clean-up order will be issued,” he said.
He added that all dirt taken from the monsoon drains would be collected and not left on the road or grass verge.
Zaireezal also urged the public to do their bit and stop throwing rubbish into monsoon drains.
