Highway operator to mitigate flooding

(From left) Rahah handing the memorandum to Hee and Syahredzan at the town hall meeting. With them is Mohd Jusni.

FOLLOWING residents’ complaints, highway concessionaire Kajang Dispersal Link Expressway (SILK) has promised to take measures to prevent flooding in housing areas situated along Jalan Reko, Kajang.

A SILK spokesperson said during a town hall meeting that flood remedial works would start in August.

Speaking on behalf of residents from 10 housing estates in Jalan Reko and Sungai Chua, property consultant Datuk Rahah Ismail, 66, said they wanted all relevant agencies, including SILK, to work together on flood mitigation.

“Flooding in Kajang is caused by rapid development which cannot be supported by the existing drainage infrastructure,” she said during the meeting held at a Hindu temple on Jalan Reko in Taman Mahkota, Kajang.

“The SILK highway is built 3m above Taman Bangi. Its surface runoff water which flows into the internal drainage system has contributed to flooding during downpours not only in Taman Bangi but also in nearby Taman Sri Langat.

“Residents want SILK to correct the design of surface water runoff drainage systems.

“Currently, the water flows into the housing areas via a tunnel beneath the highway, causing floods.

“Residents are proposing the construction of a wall parallel to the highway and Taman Bangi, which can also serve as a sound barrier,” Rahah added.

In a memorandum prepared by Taman Bangi and Taman Sahabat Residents Association, residents claimed there were no floods in Taman Bangi and Taman Sri Langat from 1978 to 2002 before SILK was built.

In 2002, however, during the construction of the highway, muddy waters began entering the housing area and in 2004, residents experienced floods for the first time.

During a dialogue, it was also pointed out that a flap gate installed to stop river water from entering the housing area had proven to be inefficient, especially when the river water level is high, as it is positioned at a lower level.

As such, residents want the concessionaire to upgrade the highway’s drainage system so that water can be discharged into Sungai Langat.

The SILK spokesperson said the concessionaire had completed an engineering assessment and formulated a plan to build a culvert crossing.

The purpose of the crossing is to manage surface water runoff from SILK and mitigate water intrusion into neighbouring housing areas.

The process of appointing a contractor for this project is underway, the spokesperson added.

Additionally, it was also highlighted that SILK would be reassessing the functionality of the previously installed flap gate.

The town hall meeting was organised by Selangor tourism, environment, green technology and Orang Asli affairs committee chairman Hee Loy Sian and Bangi MP Syahredzan Johan.

Besides SILK, representatives from Kajang Municipal Council, Selangor Water Management Authority, the Drainage and Irrigation Department, and Public Works Department as well as Hulu Langat district officer Datuk Mohd Jusni Hashim were present.

Hee told a press conference that work to raise the river bund from 1.5m to 2m as well as dredging would be carried out by the end of this year.