Over RM6mil allocated to desilt Klang’s monsoon drains

Workers cleaning a monsoon drain filled with silt and wild vegetation at Taman Meru Indah, Klang.

CONTRACTORS have begun monsoon drain-desilting operations across Klang in Selangor.

Klang Royal City Council (MBDK) Environmental Services Department director Zaireezal Ahmad Zainuddin said RM6.2mil had been allocated to clean monsoon and earth-cut drains over nine months to improve drainage efficiency and mitigate flood-related risks.

“Desilting works will be carried out across four successive operational cycles.”

He said MBDK had outsourced cleaning works to 32 appointed contractors.

Zaireezal says the operation is to improve drainage and mitigate floods.

“Outside help is needed as private companies are equipped with backhoes and manpower to engage in manual methods where drains are filled with wild vegetation, silt and rubbish,” he said.

Zaireezal said they found discarded mattresses and broken furniture in monsoon drains that obstructed water flow and triggered floods.

“Unscrupulous people who dump bulk waste into monsoon drains caused debris (silt and organic waste) to be trapped, causing water to overflow into nearby neighbourhoods during heavy rains,” he said.

Zaireezal said the first cleaning cycle began this month and would end in August.

In the first area, contractors will cover Taman Meru Indah, Kawasan Bukit Kapar 2, Bukit Kapar 1, Taman Sri Kapar, Taman Meru Putra, Taman Desa Permai 3 and Taman Desa Bukit Nilam.

The second area covers Jalan Teratai, Jalan Abadi 1A, Jalan Dahlia, Jalan Beruas, Jalan Puding, Jalan Bunga Raya and Jalan Kenangan while the third area comprises Jalan Khamis, Jalan Kasban, Jalan Jabbar, Jalan Kassim, Jalan Salleh industrial area, Jalan Abdul Manan 1 and Jalan Abdul Manan.

“The second cycle will be from Sept 1 to Oct 25 while the third cycle will start from Oct 26 to Dec 20, and the final cycle will be from Dec 21 to Feb 14, 2027.

“We understand there might be some delays due to unforeseen bad weather,” he added.

Zaireezal also said massive cleaning works would be carried out at identified flood hotspots.

“Other areas where monsoon drain works are ongoing are Taman Eng Ann, Taman Berke­ley, Klang Utama, Sementa, Klang Perdana, Rantau Panjang, Ban­dar Bukit Raja 1, Bandar Bukit Raja 2, Bandar Sultan Suleiman 1, Bandar Sultan Suleiman 2, Jalan Dato Tahir Manan, Bukit Kapar 1 housing area, Jalan Haji Sirat, Jalan Sungai Puloh, Jalan Goh Hock Huat and Jalan Bakti.”

He added that excavators, backhoes and shovels were being used to remove large amounts of rubbish, sludge and sand.

Zaireezal also said he would visit other neighbourhoods to ensure all water channels are cleaned thoroughly by KDEB Waste Management.

“If the drains are not cleaned, fines will be issued to the contractor and an immediate clean-up order will be issued,” he said.