Downpour wreaks havoc in Klang Valley

PETALING JAYA: Heavy rain in some parts of Selangor and Kuala Lumpur caused flash floods and trees to fall, says Lembaga Lebuhraya Malaysia (LLM).

In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday (May 25), the LLM reported that a flash flood from Taman Megah to Damansara Utama in Selangor was causing heavy traffic.

“Flash flood at KM7.9 from the north of Taman Megah heading towards Damansara Utama. The left lane is at a standstill. Traffic is heavy at the location. Be careful when driving. Any inconveniences are truly regretted,” LLM said.

Minutes earlier, LLM reported several trees falling down between Kerinchi, Kuala Lumpur and Damansara, Selangor, causing a standstill around the area.

Given the heavy rain at press time, the LLM advised road users to use alternative routes to reach their destinations.

“Trees falling down at KM7.6 from the north of Kerinchi to Damansara. The left and middle lanes are congested. Traffic is heavy for about 2km at the location.

“Road users are advised to use alternative routes. Any inconveniences are truly regretted.”

Social media platforms are also flooded with comments by Internet users reporting similar incidents with one X user, known as Chennie, saying that she was soaking wet due to the heavy rain.

“I am literally crying because of the heavy rain, flash flood and all the trees blocking the way. It’s not just leaves or branches but actual trees falling. Luckily I ate earlier but right now, I am soaking wet,” she wrote.

A reader of The Star who wanted to remain anonymous also shared an update, saying that a tree fell down in Section 17, Petaling Jaya, near SJKC Chung Hwa.

“Another tree fell down in front of SJKC Chung Hwa. It’s super jammed now. (It is) serious. An ambulance had to come and now Bomba is also here,” the reader told The Star.

The reader also added that there were multiple trees that had fallen in various locations in Section 17, leading to traffic jams.

Another X user, Farhan Amran, advised the public to stay at home during the bad weather.

“Kuala Lumpur-Petaling Jaya is currently seeing stormy rain, very heavy. If anyone wants to go out, it would be better if you avoid it,” he wrote.

According to the Meteorological Department’s website, several areas in Selangor - namely Petaling Jaya, Subang, Shah Alam and Damansara - are expected to experience heavy rain up until later tonight.

Other parts of the country expected to experience heavy rain include Selama, Sitiawan, Seri Iskandar, Batu Gajah, Gopeng and Ipoh in Perak, according to MetMalaysia’s website.