DOWNPOURS that caused flash floods in parts of Petaling Jaya, Selangor, are robbing Taman Kayu Ara Indah residents of their sleep.
They have been taking turns to keep watch over Sungai Kayu Ara, fearing its banks might collapse and endanger them.
Badleeshah Hassan, 48, said residents set up a bank watch following visible signs of erosion after heavy rain made the river swell up on May 6.
“Our greatest concern is that should the bank give way, those living along the water’s edge at Lorong 7a will be completely unaware of the looming danger.
“This is why during heavy rain and when the river is swollen, about four of us have volunteered to stay awake, sometimes up to 6am to keep watch,” he said, adding that there was also a 3am shift.
Badleeshah said the state of erosion appeared serious enough to warrant urgent action.
Norhayati Ismail, 66, said their fears were not unfounded, recalling that the kitchen of one house along Lorong 7a collapsed when parts of the riverbank gave way about 17 or 18 years ago.
“It is time the authorities take action and not pass the buck between the different agencies.
“We, the residents who have the most to lose, don’t want to be left in the lurch,” she said.
Norhayati called for urgent action as the erosion was located under the LRT3 line connecting Bandar Utama and Kayu Ara stations.
A statement by the Damansara Parliamentary Service Centre said a site inspection was carried out on May 6 at 3pm to assess the condition of the soil erosion.
The site visit was carried out by representatives from the Petaling District and Land Office, Petaling Jaya City Council, Kampung Sungai Kayu Ara Residents Committee and the LRT3 project contractor Setia Utama LRT 3 Sdn Bhd.
