Thousands caught unawares as 2m-high flash floods hit KL

KUALA LUMPUR: Thousands of motorists were stuck in massive traffic jams for more than two hours yesterday evening after a storm caused flash foods in various parts of the city.

Flood waters rose up to 2m at the junction of the Dynasty Hotel on Jalan Ipoh and in the Kampung Baru area.

Some motorists had to abandon their cars in the middle of the road when the flood waters threatened to submerge their vehicles.

Among those stuck in the jam was singer Francessca Peters, who was in a car driven by her sister Bibiana.

They were stuck at the Jalan Ipoh-Jalan Pahang junction as police had closed the road because of the flood.

“Pedestrians had to wade through muddy water,” Bibiana, 40, said.

Among the other badly-hit areas were Jalan Kolam Air, Jalan Union, Jalan Parlimen, Jalan Gombak, Bulatan Dato Onn, Segambut and Jalan Tun Razak.

Residents at Jalan Kolam Air were badly affected as flood waters rose as high as one metre. A resident, Ravi Chandran, 43, said it was not the first time the area had been flooded. The residents live beside Sungai Batu and flash floods have been occurring for years.

According to the Kuala Lumpur City Hall flood information centre, the floods began at 5pm after a downpour.

Enforcement officer Chief Insp Lamli Musa said the flood waters began to recede after the Smart Tunnel was closed to traffic to enable flood operations.

“We sent our officers to the affected areas and police were also sent out to help ease traffic congestion,” he said.