The river diversion project at Sungai Kayu Ara is among the many flood mitigation projects that have been completed in Petaling Jaya. — Filepic
Measures include activating underground water tanks, system to prevent backflow at rivers, installing CCTV cameras
PETALING Jaya City Council (MBPJ) is stepping up efforts to tackle flash floods, with plans to address the issue and improve the city’s preparedness.
The local council said it had identified 53 flood hotspots, with 28 resolved and 19 in progress.
Six other areas would require cooperation from other parties, it said in a media statement.
Key measures include activating underground water tanks and installing CCTV cameras in high-risk areas.
These are in addition to placing a system to monitor and prevent backflow at rivers while improving drainage maintenance.
The MBPJ statement came after a visit by Selangor water, agriculture, infrastructure and mobility select committee chairman Michelle Ng to MBPJ headquarters and a detention pond in Petaling Jaya.
Ng, in a separate statement, said the visit underscored the importance of exploring innovative water detention systems.
“Flood mitigation and water retention require more than conventional approaches,” the Subang Jaya assemblyman said.
“Innovation is key to tackling these challenges, either by integrating water detention systems into existing urban spaces or using technology for better flow management,” she said.
She also called on local authorities to collaborate and share expertise to identify better solutions in combating flash floods.
“This means more investment in research, promoting inter-agency cooperation and having better regulatory frameworks to create more effective solutions,” she added.
During the Selangor assembly sitting on Jan 25, state infrastructure and agriculture committee chairman Datuk Izham Hashim said 53 flood mitigation projects had been planned in Petaling Jaya.
He said more than half of these were completed and six of the remaining ongoing projects were being carried out by developers.
“A majority of flood issues under the purview of local authorities involve drain widening and on-site retention to hold stormwater.
“These projects come under the Drainage and Irrigation Department, MBPJ and third parties who are usually developers,” he was quoted as saying.
