PUTRAJAYA: Kuala Lumpur authorities should adopt a forward-looking approach when planning their flood mitigation measures, says Hannah Yeoh.
The Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) said the authorities can no longer follow the old standard operating procedures to deal with heavy rains, as the impacts of climate change intensify.
"We are now planning mitigation measures for once-in-a-hundred-year rains. We should probably start preparing for rains that happen once every 200 years or even 500 years.
"We must always be prepared for heavy rains that could cause flash floods. If we are not, our city may sink after just 30 minutes of a heavy downpour," she said during a press conference after launching the Community-Based Eco Recycling Hub in Precinct 9 here today (Nov 3).
Currently, Yeoh said Kuala Lumpur City Hall's (DBKL) branches in all the 11 parliamentary constituencies in the city have been mobilised to constantly monitor their areas, especially flood hotspots.
"We must continuously check the city's infrastructure before rains to ensure it is ready.
"Sometimes, the roads may look clean, but the drains around them may be clogged. This needs active monitoring," she said.
She also called for adopting the sponge city approach in city planning, stating that developments, especially in sensitive areas such as hills, must be strictly regulated.
"Gazetting more green spaces is also important to make Kuala Lumpur a sponge city. Green spaces should not be replaced with concrete as this would take away their water catchment capability," she added.
She further stated that throughout the past three years, the number of flood hotspots in Kuala Lumpur has been reduced from 30 to 14.
Yeoh also stated this in Parliament on Oct 8, reportedly saying that the Kuala Lumpur mayor is focusing on reducing another four hotspots through more frequent cleaning and maintenance.
According to her, DBKL has also increased the frequency of desilting work along rivers and monsoon drains under its jurisdiction to improve water flow.
"For example, the desilting work along Sungai Toba has been increased from twice a year to six times a year," she said.
Several areas in Kuala Lumpur including Jalan Pantai Baharu, Jalan Bukit Pantai and Taman Tun Dr Ismail were reportedly hit by flash floods on Nov 2, following a heavy downpour.
