WHENEVER there is a prolonged downpour, a 100m stretch of Jalan Chemor-Tanjung Rambutan near Taman Kinding Permai, Ipoh in Perak, will be inundated.
The flash flood would result in the road being cut off to traffic, causing congestion and inconveniencing residents in the surrounding area.
Taman Kinding Permai Residents Association chairman Rosidi Mohd Rejab said the issue has been ongoing for about 10 years.
The technician said it took roughly an hour of rain for the stretch of road at a T-junction near the housing area to be inundated.
“When the road is flooded, cars will not be able to move,” he said when met by reporters.
“The water level could reach 1.2m at the T-junction.
“Nearby residents and parents fetching their children from a nearby religious school could get stuck in traffic for up to two hours,” he said.
“Others who are greatly affected include those who use the road to go to Chemor or Sungai Siput.”
Rosidi, who is also a Residents’ Representative Committee (JPP) member, said the problem also affected people in five other residential areas – Taman Kinding Raya, Taman Kinding Akasia, Taman Kinding Hijauan, Taman Kinding Perdana and Taman Kinding Flora.
Speaking on behalf of residents in all the affected areas, Rosidi said he had lodged numerous complaints with Ipoh City Council (MBI) and Public Works Department (JKR) before requesting the help of Hulu Kinta assemblyman Muhamad Arafat Varisai Mahamad.
“I have personally lodged a complaint with the city council about the matter.
“I believe other residents in the area have also done so,” said Rosidi.
He said another stretch of road, about 400m away, would also be inundated if the T-junction was flooded.
“Representatives from MBI and JKR have visited the location but the issue persists,” he said.
Rosidi said there were no alternative exits for residents in his area once the T-junction got flooded.
“All we can do is wait for the water to subside.”
He also said that traffic in the area had increased in the last decade due to several projects.
“The road used to be considered an alternative route to Chemor or Sungai Siput, but it has become almost like a main road with the increase in traffic,” he added.
A resident of Taman Kinding Raya, who wanted to be known only as Wan Saiful, pinpointed several possible causes for the flash floods.
He said the drainage system near the T-junction would overflow quickly during a downpour.
“As soil and sediment get washed down to the drain, it becomes more shallow and overflows easily.
“I understand that there are two retention ponds in the area, so something must have gone wrong with them; otherwise, why are flash floods happening so easily?” Wan Saiful questioned.
Muhamad Arafat said short and long-term plans had been suggested by the relevant agencies to resolve the issues.
He said that in the short term, MBI would carry out work to deepen the earth drainage system.
“We hope that digging up the silt and sediment will allow water to flow smoothly,” he said.
For the long term, Muhamad Arafat said it was suggested that another retention pond be built near the T-junction but it would require a suitable site.
“Another long-term plan is to build a culvert to replace the earth drainage system.
“Both long-term plans will require allocations, and I have asked the relevant agencies to write an official request to me so that I can try to get funding from the state or Federal government,” he added.
Muhamad Arafat said the agencies involved were committed to resolving the issue.
“That is why I have brought representatives from MBI, JKR, Land and Mines Department as well as Drainage and Irrigation Department (JPS) to visit the area with me.
“This is because efforts need to be streamlined in order to come up with an effective solution.”
Discharge disturbs villagers
Separately, at Kampung Baru Changkat Kinding, village chief Wong Chin Siang said he was concerned about white-coloured water and sediment flowing down to their doorsteps from a nearby kaolin factory whenever it rains.
Wong said he suspected that the drainage system at the factory had not been well-maintained, causing water to overflow.
“The water, which is white in colour, has a distinctive smell and is different from the rainwater that flows into our drains.
“The sediment has clogged drains near our village, causing the white-coloured water to flow to our village,” he said.
He added that the issue has been ongoing for about two years.
Wong said the villagers were also concerned about their health, especially when lumps of kaolin fell off trucks onto the road, broke up and the dust scattered.
“Villagers are breathing the air filled with dust, and it can enter our food too.
“We hope the relevant government agencies can resolve these problems,” he added.
Wong also requested that JKR instal speed breakers near the traffic light junction just outside the village archway.
He said many motorists ran the red light.
“There were two accidents last year. JKR should also instal speed limit signs to remind motorists not to speed,” he said.
Muhamad Arafat said he would visit the kaolin factory in a few weeks’ time to discuss the issues brought up.
“I have requested that the drains near the village be cleaned up.
“We will also ask the factory operator to build a retention pond if they don’t have one, to prevent water from their premises flowing elsewhere.
“A retention pond at the factory could also alleviate flash flooding near Taman Kinding Permai,” he noted.
Muhamad Arafat also said he would ask JKR to check the viability of installing speed bumps or put into place other measures to deter motorists from speeding.
When contacted, an MBI spokesperson said work to dig up the soil drainage started on July 9 and should be completed by next week.
“Apart from deepening the drainage, we would also clear undergrowth along the drain,” he added.
