Mitigating Section 7 flash floods with new drains

A motorcyclist riding through ankle-deep water along Jalan Plumbum 7/100, Shah Alam. — Courtesy photo

Replacement part of long-term solution to improve water flow

SHAH Alam City Council (MBSA) will instal open scupper drains along Jalan Plumbum 7/100 in Section 7, Shah Alam in Selangor to channel surface runoff more effectively into a nearby monsoon drain.

An open scupper drain is a three-sided drain with the top opened for smooth flow of water and facilitates easy cleaning.

Motorists using the road daily had complained to the city council about flash floods, which caused traffic snarls.

Shah Alam mayor Cheremi Tarman said the plan to replace the current closed scupper drainage with open ones was a better long-term solution to tackling flash floods.

“MBSA received complaints of ankle-deep flash floods caused by recent intense rains.

“Our engineers had found that the area sees a backflow of rainwater.

“Surface runoff collects on the road as it is the lowest point along the stretch of Jalan Plumbum 7/100,” he said.

Cheremi added that further checks showed that the closed scupper drains had sustained structural damage which hampered water flow to the main drain.

“It was also noticed that the drains were choked with dried leaves and sand silt,” he said.

Cheremi said the immediate measure to be taken was to clean up the closed scupper drains.

“As there are downpours in the evenings, the city council has instructed contractors to repair the damaged closed scupper drains as a temporary measure to alleviate the flooding,” he said.

Cheremi said as a long-term measure, MBSA planned to upgrade them to open scupper drains that were wider than the current structures.