TERRIFIED of recurring flash floods, Taman Desa Aman residents in Cheras are demanding an urgent, comprehensive upgrade of their neighbourhood’s aging drainage system.
The call follows a severe flash flood last December.
Following an inspection, Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), attributed one of the causes of the Dec 4 flood to the construction site of a 50-storey condominium in Persiaran Desa Aman 1.
Water had overflowed from its silt trap directly into the public drains around Jalan Desa Aman 6.
Residents said even though some follow-up and maintenance works, including upgrading the silt trap at the construction site, were conducted after DBKL’s inspection, floods still occurred though not as severe.
Desa Aman Residents Association (Rada) special task force (legal) chairman Datuk Dr Bob Lew said the existing drains in the area should be upgraded to at least double their current capacity.
“Taman Desa Aman has about 400 households and the drains were designed to accommodate the volume of water discharged from these houses.
“The condominium would have about 500 units, which might probably discharge a similar volume of extra water into the drains,” said Lew.
He also said various developments had taken place in areas neighbouring Taman Desa Aman such as Taman Yulek and Taman Segar, making drain upgrades an urgent need.
“We need a total upgrade of the drainage system in the area and also the main monsoon drain in Jalan Desa Aman 1.
“If the drains are not upgraded, it will just take another day of heavy rain for flash floods to happen again,” he said.
Rada member Sharzila Haris said water reached ankle level during the December flood, causing significant disruption among residents when the water entered their house compounds after flooding nearby roads.
“I have been living in Taman Desa Aman since 1984 and such floods have never happened before.
“The flood last year really showed how extensive the surrounding overdevelopment has become over the years.
“One of the major concerns is the condition of the monsoon drain along Jalan Desa Aman 1, which has been compromised and is no longer able to cope with the scale of development taking place in the area.
“We should not build any more high-rise apartments if we don’t improve the infrastructure,” she added.
Sharzila suggested that manmade wetland be established in the area to take some load from the existing drainage system during heavy rains.
A resident who wished to remain anonymous, called for proper maintenance of silt traps and erosion control measures at all construction sites, alongside upgrading the drains.
“Drainage impact and cumulative impact assessments must also be completed before approving any high-density developments in the future,” said the resident.
DBKL had not responded to queries regarding the issue as of press time.
