FT Minister: Construction projects may have contributed to KL flash floods

KUALA LUMPUR: Construction projects in some parts in the city may have contributed to the flash floods after a heavy downpour on Sunday (Nov 11).

Federal Territories Minister Khalid Abdul Samad said there are many development projects in the capital city, and not all can be supervised constantly.

“I have held discussions with the (Kuala Lumpur) mayor and we will take action to ensure all the drainage that is clogged will be taken care of to ensure this doesn't happen,” he told reporters at the Parliament lobby on Monday (Nov 12).

Khalid added that the downpour on Sunday was also rather heavy, but the current drainage system is able to handle such situations.

“It can handle heavy downpours because the design is able to withstand (high levels of) flooding. The system has been upgraded.

“What we need is to monitor construction sites more, and we may even think of punitive measures to be taken against such contractors if their work affects or clogs the drainage system,” he said.

Several areas and roads were affected by flash floods on Sunday after almost two hours of heavy downpour in Kuala Lumpur.

Kuala Lumpur City Hall enforcement department director Azman Mahmood said the rain, which began at 4pm, saw water build up in the tunnel heading from Jalan Tun Razak towards KLCC and Jalan Loke Yew.

Several vehicles and their drivers were also stuck in a flash flood in the Jalan Tun Razak tunnel.

The Fire and Rescue Department, which received a distress call about the incident, rescued the victims, who were sitting on roofs of their cars to escape the flood.