Zamri (right) and Low taking photos of the drain off Jalan Meru that is blocked with debris.
THE tender process for a flood mitigation project in Taman Seah Hong, Klang, which is expected to start in November, is ongoing.
This is contrary to an earlier report stating that the project was supposed to have started last October and was to be completed in February this year.
Klang Municipal Council (MPK) was then quoted as saying that the work, at dense built-up areas, required time to ensure underground utility cables and pipes were not affected.
The flood mitigation plan included widening a 390m drain stretch along Jalan Pekan Baru 26 and constructing a detention pond, said Klang Municipal Council (MPK).
“Our plan is to build a detention pond on a small plot of land between Jalan Pekan Baru 26 and 27, which will hold rainwater runoff as well as widening the drain to prevent flash floods.
“When completed, the detention tank will ease the rainfall load,” said MPK Engineering Department director Zamri Othman.
Taman Seah Hong has about 150 terrace houses.
Each time there is a downpour, the main drainage gets overwhelmed causing overflow of water.
This results in anxiety among residents especially senior citizens who have been living there since the late 1970s.
MPK area councillor Low Kwee Sia said the residential area was hit by flash floods over a week ago.
“Continuous rain caused drains to overflow and flooding residents’ homes.
“The next day we found some drains filled with sand and debris from a construction site,” he said.
Low said a clean-up was carried out with the help of workers from the construction site.
“One of the factors contributing to the flash floods are the stones from the wall of the drain which have dislodged. These are preventing the surface runoff to flow smoothly,” he said.
“The drains are under the purview of the Klang Public Works Department (JKR) and it was quick to remove the stones. I am told that repairs will be carried out soon,” he added.
Both Low and Zamri, who carried out checks on the drains in Taman Seah Hong and outside the neighbourhood along Jalan Meru, said they would keep residents updated on the project.
