Stagnant water on the uneven roadside. — RAJA FAISAL HISHAN/The Star
PARTS of Jalan Kepong-Kuala Selangor in Bandar Sri Damansara, Selangor, experience frequent flash floods because of uneven terrain and clogged drains.
The uneven terrain causes water to flow into lower-lying areas, leading to flash floods that affect shops and a Hindu temple along the roadside.
During a press conference, local activist Yee Poh Ping said despite several drain outlets at the side of the road, they were ineffective as sand and rubbish had clogged the drains.
He said drain water flowed from a nearby industrial area in Persiaran Jati on the Damansara-Puchong Expressway (LDP) whenever there was heavy rain.
“With so much water coming at once, the shallow drains can no longer contain the large volume of water.
“Floodwaters can be 0.3m deep, causing traffic disruption for cars coming from Selayang, Taman Daya, Batu Caves, Sri Gombak and Kepong,” he said.
Yee also said the road fell under several jurisdictions, including Public Works Department (JKR), Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) and Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ).
“It is a no-man’s land, as the regulations and policies of local governments in our country are inconsistent.
“This results in many problems that cannot be properly solved.
“People cannot determine which road sections are under whose jurisdiction and are unable to lodge complaints to the right department.
“The authorities should have a discussion together to figure out a solution, instead of leaving it as it is,” he said.
Yee suggested both short-term and long-term solutions.
“JKR needs to regularly clean and maintain the drains.
“If the problem persists after clearing the drains, consideration should be given to relocating the shops along the road to a suitable location and adding more drains in the area to completely solve the flooding problem,” he added.
