Heavy rain causes flash floods in KL

Not again: A man assessing the flood waters in Kuala Lumpur after the downpour. — M. AZHAR ARIF/The Star

Kuala Lumpur: An afternoon downpour caused flash floods in several areas in the city.

Among the areas affected were Kampung Datuk Keramat, Jalan Semarak, Jalan Sentul, Jalan Kampung Pandan, Jalan Ampang, Jalan Tun Razak, Sultan Iskandar Highway, Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, Jalan Pahang, Jalan Gombak and Jalan Genting Klang.

A spokesman from the Fire and Rescue Department said a stretch along Jalan Duta heading into Jalan Semantan, Damansara was also flooded.

However, the flood waters receded about half an hour later.

In Johor Baru, a total of 628 relief centres had been identified as part of its preparations for possible floods during the coming rainy spell.

State secretary Datuk Ismail Karim said most of the centres were schools and public halls.

Ismail, who is also the Johor Disaster Management Committee chairman, said preparations were carried out since last month to ensure assets, food and medical supplies were adequate at each centre.

He said food supply had been distributed to nine orang asli villages as well as several islands within Johor waters such as Pulau Pemanggil, Pulau Aur, Pulau Besar, Pulau Tinggi and Pulau Sibu.

In Baling, continuous rain over the past few days forced more than 150 people from several villages to be evacuated.

“The flood waters has reached about two feet,” said Baling Social Welfare Department officer Syamsul Izrin Isahak, adding that food, mats and blankets had been given out to the victims.

Related story:

Landslide paralyses Karak Highway