End to Jinjang Utara flood woes in sight

Workers carrying out drainage upgrading work along Jalan Jinjang Indah 3 in Jinjang Utara, Kuala Lumpur. — GLENN GUAN/The Star

JINJANG Utara residents who have long been plagued by flash floods, have all the reason to rejoice as Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) is upgrading drains outside their houses.

Work along Jalan Jinjang Indah 3 started in May and is expected to be completed in September.

A representative of the DBKL contractor managing the drainage upgrading work, said the entire project spanned about 1.2km.

“We are adding a box culvert, as well as widening and deepening the drains along Jalan Jinjang Indah 3, Jalan Tebing Timor and Jalan Jinjang Permai in Jinjang Utara,” he said.

Jinjang Utara resident Andy Lee, 73, said the flash floods had become worse lately and hoped that the upgrade could solve the problem that has been affecting them for at least two years.

“Whenever there is a downpour, water will get into the house, flooding my kitchen and living room.

“During one such incident, the floodwater was at ankle level.

“The water just could not flow out of the area as some parts of the drain were clogged,” he recalled.

Another resident, Liew An Peng, 63, said she had to build a low concrete wall at the front door to prevent water from flowing into her house.

“I have lived here for more than 40 years and the drains have never been upgraded.

“It was a nightmare cleaning up the house every time it flooded,” she added.

Kepong Community Service Centre head Yee Poh Ping said Jinjang Utara was an old neighbourhood with drains as old as more than 60 years.

“Development has taken place here over the years and the drains can no longer cope with the large volume of water,” he said, adding that rubbish also clogged the drains.

“We complained to DBKL in 2019 about the frequent flash floods and we are glad that our voices were heard,” he added.

Yee hopes that with the drainage upgrade, water can be channelled more efficiently to the Taman Wahyu catchment pond.

“However, the upgrading work only addresses the flash floods happening at the residential area around Jalan Jinjang Indah 3 and the main road.

“More areas in Jinjang Utara are prone to flash floods and are in dire need of a drainage upgrade,” he highlighted.