PETALING JAYA: Silt from construction sites as well as low-lying areas are reasons for the flash floods that hit Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday, says Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL).
It said it found clogged drains at project sites near several roads in the city.
DBKL Socioeconomic Development executive director Datuk Anwar Mohd Zain said immediate cleaning works were taken to remove obstructions.
“The contractors involved have also been ordered to ensure silt from their project sites is not discharged into nearby drains.
“Among roads affected were Jalan Dutamas 2 and the Sultan Iskandar highway heading towards Jalan Kuching,” he said.
Anwar added that four low-lying areas were submerged: Jalan Rahmat, Jalan Ipoh Batu 3, Jalan Segambut and Jalan Ampang.
He said three out of the six areas hit, namely Jalan Rahmat, Jalan Ipoh Batu 3 and Jalan Segambut, were considered flood hotspots.
He also said that some 300 DBKL personnel were deployed to disperse traffic in affected roads and ensure unobstructed water flow.
“Ten water pumps were mobilised to remove floodwaters from Jalan Dutamas 2 and the Sultan Iskandar highway.
“Sandbags were also placed along riverbanks near Jalan Rahmat, Jalan Parlimen and Lebuh Ampang,” he told a recent press briefing.He added that DBKL was prepared to deal with the possibility of more floods this week after the Meteorological Department warned about bad weather conditions.
On a related matter, Anwar dismissed claims on social media of a flash flood being detected in Jalan Travers.
“That is the photo of a previous incident. The public is advised to cross check any information with proper media outlets,” he said.
A downpour that lasted from 11am to 4pm on Wednesday caused several major roads to be inundated around the city.
Workers of Klang Municipal Council’s (MPK) Environmental Services Department and KDEB Waste Management began removing debris swept into residential drains in the aftermath of Wednesday afternoon’s flash floods.MPK Environmental Services Department director Zaireezal Ahmad Zainuddin said about 60 workers were in several areas, including Meru, Jalan Batu Tiga Lama, Kampung Raja Uda and Bandar Bukit Tinggi to remove trash that had been swept by floodwaters into drains.
“Our workers are scooping mud, among other trash, from drains,” he said.
