Flooding and potholes in Klang posing danger to road users

Potholes along Jalan Udang Galah in Telok Gong are a danger to residents and road users. – KK SHAM/The Star

A MERE 45-minute downpour is enough to cause Jalan Udang Galah, off Jalan Telok Gong in Port Klang, Selangor, to be flooded.

Workers at factories along Jalan Udang Galah said the drains were unable to cope with the intense surface run-off which had contributed to the road’s dilapidated condition.

Kampung Hamid Tuah resident Azmi Mohd Razamit, 36, said potholes would be filled with water after downpours.

“Motorcyclists often skid while negotiating a road bend due to the loose gravel and fall off their bikes upon hitting the potholes.

“They end up with cuts and even fractures,” he said.

Azmi added that the road condition caused hardship to residents and motorists who use the road to get to their workplace.

Welder Mazlan Mohammad Meera, 38, who lives in the area, said complaints made to Klang Municipal Council (MPK) in 2016 on the need to widen the drains along Jalan Udang Galah was ignored. Another resident, Rizal Mohd, 40, said MPK must change all earth-cut drains to concrete ones and take steps to improve water flow.

Azmi says motorcyclists fall off their bikes and get injured when they hit potholes concealed by water.

“Recently, we had flash floods with water up to almost the knee level.

“Dirt and rubbish removed from the drain is often left on the grass verge and it ends up back in the drain after a downpour,” he added.

Shawn Ooi, 31, said MPK must implement a holistic flood mitigation plan for Telok Gong to address the frequent flash floods and poor road conditions.

“The roads have to be milled so that they last longer.

“The drains also need to be widened,” he said.

He added that the lack of street lights along Jalan Udang Galah was a safety hazard too.