Flood clean-up in KL hampered by rubbish, illegal utility cables

Rubbish found inside a drain in Jalan Pudu Ulu during cleaning work by Alam Flora and DBKL on Tuesday. - Courtesy pix

ALAM Flora Sdn Bhd workers are finding it difficult to clean up flood-hit areas in Kuala Lumpur because of large amounts of rubbish and illegal utility cables.

Its Federal Territories manager Raja Kamal Azizol Raja Ibrahim said bricks and broken furniture in waterways were also obstructing the water flow.

“There are also pipe connections inside drains that have caused more rubbish to be trapped,” he said, adding that clean-up operations started Monday night.

“Our focus is to remove the mud and sediment on roads and clear the drains.

“We have also activated a special squad to expedite the operations in the city,” said Raja Kamal.

He said the squad comprised two drivers and four personnel, each equipped with a water jet and suction machine.

Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Seri Mahadi Che Ngah, in a media statement, said Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) had identified 29 areas that were affected by Monday’s flash floods.

Water receded in 25 areas within 30 to 45 minutes, he said, while in four areas it took between one and three hours.

“The four areas are the Bulatan Pudu underpass, Jalan Tun Razak underground tunnel, Kampung Pasir in Lembah Pantai and Kampung Periuk in Kampung Baru.

“Seven tow trucks were mobilised to the affected areas to remove stalled vehicles,” said the mayor.

In a separate statement, DBKL said it was working with Alam Flora to respond to emergency calls from distressed residents.

“Our emergency squad and Alam Flora have removed a fallen tree near the Seri Alam people’s housing project (PPR) in Sungai Besi.

“City folk can report similar incidents to the squad via WhatsApp at 011-653 99004,” the statement read.

The downpour on Monday began at 2.30pm and lasted for more than two hours, causing flash floods at several main roads in the city, including Jalan Pudu, Jalan Kuchai Lama, Jalan Sri Permaisuri, Jalan Tun Razak, Jalan Pahang as well as the tunnel at Chan Sow Lin.

Environment and Water Minister Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said in a statement that rainfall was recorded at 106.5mm and 155mm at the Stormwater Management And Road Tunnel (Smart) Taman Desa station and Air Panas station respectively, within two hours.

‘’The existing drainage could not cope with the high water flow capacity.

“To reduce the risk of flash floods, Federal Territories Drainage and Irrigation Department is in the midst of upgrading flood retention ponds in Kuala Lumpur, including the Batu Retention Pond,” he said.

Meanwhile, two relief centres — at Dewan Sultan Sulaiman in Kampung Baru and SJK(T) Saraswathi in Lembah Pantai — have been activated.

At press time, the former was housing 84 families consisting of 381 victims while the latter had 145 families with 560 victims. 

Lembah Pantai MP Fahmi Fadzil expressed frustration over the frequent flooding in the city centre, with special reference to Kampung Pasir Baru.

“This is the second time in three months that this area has been inundated.

“Many are asking why the floodwaters rose so quickly?

“Many had only recently finished cleaning up their homes and repairing or buying new electrical appliances,” he added.

On Twitter, Fahmi said Dewan Rakyat had agreed to consider a motion to debate the major flooding incidents in Klang Valley.

He said the government, particularly ministers of the Federal Territories, the Water and Environment and the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Special Tasks), should be taken to task.