FLOODING in Petaling Jaya will be addressed through immediate and long-term mitigation plans involving 39 projects across the city at a cost of RM40.5mil, with eight being prioritised.
State infrastructure and agriculture committee chairman Datuk Izham Hashim said the Selangor government is committed to strengthening flood mitigation efforts through the implementation of the Immediate and Medium-Term Flood Mitigation Plan in flood hotspots and areas identified as being at risk of flooding within the jurisdiction of Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ).
"These works include river upgrading and capacity enhancement, construction of outlet structures, maintenance of drainage systems, rivers and flood retention ponds, as well as the installation of flood warning siren systems at several critical locations within the Petaling Jaya administrative area, including Section 51A, Kampung Chempaka and Jalan Kuala Selangor, better known as the FAS tunnel," he said at his office.
He added that eight of the 39 projects would be given priority, he said during a press conference at his office in the State Secretariat Building, Shah Alam.
"The eight priority projects will cost RM8.15mil. Of these, five will be led by the Drainage and Irrigation Department (JPS), while the remaining three will be undertaken by MBPJ," he said.
Izham said that while development may have contributed to the flooding, the main factor was the unusually high volume of rainfall.
"Climate change is the bigger cause. The volume of rainfall is much higher than it used to be.
"Our long-term plan is to build on-site detention (OSD) ponds that can store excess water and release it gradually.
"We also have cases of water from Sungai Penchala overflowing into drains, which contributes to flooding.
"Jalan 223 is facing this problem. We will build flap gates to control the one-way flow of water."
He added that the river upgrading project at Kampung Chempaka has yet to be completed.
"The project is expected to be completed only in January next year.
"The retaining wall has collapsed and needs to be repaired quickly.
"Otherwise, any future flooding will worsen the situation.
"Meanwhile, MBPJ will upgrade drains in the neighbourhood," he said.
As for the FAS tunnel at Jalan PJU 1A/4F, Izham said river backflow remained an issue.
"We will instal a flap gate to prevent river water from flowing into the drains.
"This will cost RM400,000. The long-term solution for the area is the construction of OSD ponds."
