Illegal utility pipes in drains ‘among causes of KL floods’

 

A heavy downpour caused flash floods in central Kuala Lumpur earlier this month.

KUALA LUMPUR: Illegal pipes for utilities installed within the drainage system without the approval of Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) have been found to be among the causes of flash floods in the city centre recently.

Edmund Santhara, deputy minister of Federal Territories, said the drainage capacity had been reduced by 30%-40% because of various types of utilities installed within the drainage system without the permission of DBKL.

He said DBKL would give the utility companies 30 days to take action and remedy the situation “and install it in the proper way, but not in the drain”.

Five areas of central Kuala Lumpur suffered flash floods after a downpour on Sept 10. The locations are Lebuh Ampang, Jalan Raja Alang in Kampung Bharu, Jalan Gurney Kiri, Jalan Semarak, Lorong Ayer Lekeh 5, Taman Ayer Panas and Jalan San Ah Wing, Kampung Semarak.

Santhara said the instruction to DBKL about the utility companies was a short-term measure.

“This is an immediate action. As a medium-term measure, the Drainage and Irrigation Department will dig up and enlarge the existing drains,” he said. “A long-term solution will involves many agencies.”

He said last week’s floods were because rivers had overflowed, but the flood waters had dropped dramatically shortly after the rain stopped.

“It was amazing but within 30 minutes after the rain stopped, the water was down. That proves that this drainage system works,” he said. “If the capacity is larger, then it is better and will not reach the level like that day,” he said. - FMT