Counting losses after floods

Motorists collecting their cars at Jalan Perak, Kuala Lumpur yesterday after leaving them there overnight when they were submerged in floodwaters. — CHAN TAK KONG/The Star

WITH floodwaters having subsided after Monday’s downpour, Kuala Lumpur folk are counting the cost of clean-up and repair work to their property, even as thunderstorms are forecast for the rest of the week.

They are frustrated with the authorities for continuing to blame high rainfall for overwhelming the drainage while plans to repair and upgrade flood retention ponds are ongoing.

They want drastic action from the government to prevent a recurrence.

Masliana Musa, 44, is one of the many victims of the flash floods.

Her car that had been parked at an open-air carpark in Jalan Perak was almost completely submerged.

The executive, who works near Suria KLCC, usually parks her car at a different parking lot but that day, all the bays were taken up. So she used the open-air carpark instead.

“I had a shock when, coming back from the office to collect my car, I saw it submerged along with over two dozen vehicles.

“It was frustrating and I had to fork out about RM1,500 just to get the car cleaned. That excludes repair fees because I have yet to get my car assessed,” said Masliana.

Retiree Rosdi Osman, 58, said repairs to his daughter’s car, which was also parked in the same area, could run up to RM3,000 provided there was no major engine damage.

‘’This flood is unprecedented and I would advise her not to park here again,” he said.

Meanwhile, residents of five houses in Section 6 of Wangsa Maju had to be evacuated following a landslide that happened behind their houses due to the rain.

Business proprietors in the flood-hit areas have resumed operations.

Kafe Kleptokrat, a restaurant in Jalan Tun HS Lee, in a post on social media, assured its customers that it would open as usual.

“We get flooded five to six times a year, so it is becoming the norm. We now have a standard operating procedure to deal with the situation,” the post stated.

A 32-year-old worker in Jalan Pinang known only as Syafiq, has decided to take an ehailing ride to work.

“Luckily, I was working from home yesterday (Monday). I am scared to drive into the area now,” he added.