KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 11: The Federal Territories ministry is seeking a long-term solution to prevent flash floods similar to those which hit parts of the capital yesterday afternoon.
Its minister, Annuar Musa, said he will request a report from the Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) and Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) on the effectiveness of the irrigation and flood mitigation system.
He said the ministry will take into account whether the flood mitigation system and Smart Tunnel, which cost billions to build, are functioning well.
He did not rule out the possibility that the flash floods were caused by development projects in several locations in the city.
“I want to see if the large flow of water is related to the areas being developed. A study needs to be done to enable DBKL to implement a long-term plan,” he said in a live broadcast on Facebook during a visit to an evacuation centre last night.
Heavy rain from 1.30pm caused flash floods on Lebuh Ampang, Jalan Raja Alang (Kampung Baru), Lorong Air Leleh (Setapak), Jalan Gurney and Jalan San Ah Wing (Semarak). The flood waters rose as high as 3m in some areas.
Fifteen people trapped by flood waters on Jalan Gurney and in Kampung Periuk were rescued by firemen.
Annuar described the volume of rainfall as “more than usual”.
