AT LEAST three rivers in Segambut, Kuala Lumpur, are in critical condition of overflowing during heavy rains, and desilting works must immediately be carried out.
Segambut MP Hannah Yeoh said that Sungai Keroh, Sungai Toba and Sungai Batu had not been maintained or upgraded consistently, causing water to overrun its banks during periods of prolonged or heavy rains.
“The Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) and Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) must coordinate and immediately deepen the rivers as well as remove sand and silt.
“This should be done at least on a monthly basis as a preventive measure and not ad-hoc as what is currently practised.
“If DBKL or DID do not have the budget or manpower to carry out these works, they can open up the works to sand contractors.
“The contractors can be allowed to remove and keep the sand for free, with proper monitoring by the agencies,” she said during a press conference in Segambut Saturday (Sept 10).
Yeoh added that sandbags that were placed by the river banks in May as an immediate mitigation measure were disintegrating.
“The sandbags which were placed by DBKL are broken and sand is already spilling out.
“When it rains or if the rivers overflow, the sand is only going to wash out into homes and roads, worsening the situation.”
She said the authorities should not wait until after floods have occurred to only then mobilise to clean up the rivers.
“I understand that DBKL plans to build a high-capacity groundwater storage facility, but residents cannot afford to wait until long-term measures are in place.”
Kampung Segambut Bahagia Residents’ Association chairman Mohd Ishak Sidin said prior flood prevention measures had not proven effective.
“Since 2008, we have had many incidents of flooding and while some action was taken this had not made much difference.
“Our homes are still flooded when Sungai Penchala overflows and we have to bear the costs.”
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