A monsoon drain stagnant with water at the entrance of Kg Bohol flood retention pond in Kuala Lumpur.
Federal Territories Land and Mines Office (PTGWP) has dismissed claims that recent flash floods at PPR Kampung Muhibbah were caused by the delay in upgrading the Kampung Bohol flood retention pond.
It said a site inspection found no technical link between the construction site and flooding.
In a statement to StarMetro, PTGWP said a site visit was conducted by officers on Dec 8 following complaints of flooding in the area.
“Based on the site visit to PPR Kampung Muhibbah, a briefing by the engineer carrying out the pond upgrading works as well as observations of elevation levels, drainage infrastructure and photographs taken, it was found that the complaints are not technically justified.
“The PPR Kampung Muhibbah area is 3m higher than the retention pond site, making it physically impossible for water to flow uphill from the pond into the housing area.
“Moreover, lower-lying areas such as Kesas and Platinum OUG condominium did not experience flooding, which would have occurred first if the pond were the source of the problem.
“The findings indicated that flooding was most likely due to internal factors within the PPR Kampung Muhibbah drainage system itself, including blocked drains caused by rubbish and sedimentation that have reduced drainage capacity.”
However, PTGWP did not address the delay in the Bohol pond upgrade, which was supposed to have been completed within five months.
Kok wants a progress report on works at Bohol pond.
When contacted, Seputeh MP Teresa Kok said if the findings pointed to blocked drains and sedimentation, then those issues must be urgently addressed.
“Someone must take responsibility for maintaining and fixing the drainage system.
“Residents are experiencing repeated floods, and this cannot be allowed to continue.”
Kok added that PPR Kampung Muhibbah, along with several other areas in Kuala Lumpur, had been hit by floods, raising broader concerns over drainage capacity and maintenance across the city.
“I want a progress report on the Kampung Bohol flood retention pond upgrade, especially given the recurring floods,” she said.
“If I am struggling to get answers, imagine how ordinary residents feel.”
When asked for a progress report on the pond upgrade, Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) said the site currently fell under the jurisdiction of PTGWP.
It added that specifications for the upgrade were the responsibility of the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID).
Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah was one of the many areas which experienced heavy flooding on Dec 4 in the capital. — Bernama
Meanwhile, it was reported that Kuala Lumpur was likely to face more flash floods in the coming weeks due to the monsoon.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa said rainfall was expected to exceed average levels of around 80mm.
Recently, 116mm was recorded in a day, with projections of up to 120mm, which could lead to flooding like the one experienced in the city on Dec 4.
In that incident, a flash flood followed a one-hour downpour and affected several roads including Jalan Sentul Pasar, Jalan Batu Bata, Jalan Haji Salleh, Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah as well as parts of the city centre around Bulatan Pahang and Jalan Tun Razak.
Another episode on Dec 12 saw flooding at Jalan Loke Yew, Jalan Changkat Thambi Dollah, Jalan Yew and Jalan Raja Chulan.
Dr Zaliha said Kuala Lumpur had 15 identified flood hotspots, and several mitigation measures had been activated to reduce the risk of sudden flooding. — By BAVANI M
