KL flood mitigation project delayed another 2 years due to contractor woes

 

A flood mitigation project in Kuala Lumpur due for completion this year has been delayed again to 2024 due to contractor troubles.

This is amid a second flash flood hitting the capital in three months.

The Sungai Bunus flood mitigation plan of six flood retention ponds and one flood diversion has reportedly been in the works since 2013.

Six of these elements have been completed progressively since 2015, but the final flood retention pond at the Police Training Centre (Pulapol) in Kuala Lumpur is still a work in progress.

In February 2021, the Drainage and Irrigation Department revealed that the Pulapol flood retention pond had been facing delays after the original contractor was removed for failure to abide by the terms of the contract.

At that time, the project was only 66 percent completed, and the department assured that a contractor would be appointed by June 2021 to finish the project by June this year.

However, it appears that the target will not be met.

Water and Environment Minister Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man

Sungai Batu project also in the works

Following flash floods that hit the capital city yesterday, Water and Environment Minister Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said that the Sungai Bunus flood mitigation project was one of two that would only be completed in 2024.

"There are several projects that have not been completed including two projects expected to be completed in 2024.

"The issues have been resolved after changing contractors," he was reported as saying by Berita Harian yesterday.

The other flood mitigation project still in the works is at Sungai Batu, he added.

106.5mm rainfall in two hours

The flash floods in the Klang Valley yesterday inundated several major roads, almost completely submerging cars and motorcycles caught in traffic.

The heavy rain also triggered several landslides, with a daycare in Kuala Lumpur being among those affected.

Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) was also forced to shut down power stations in 40 areas.

Explaining the incident, Tuan Ibrahim said the rainfall yesterday was 106.5 mm in two hours, more than half of the monthly average for rain.

This he said, overwhelmed the existing drainage systems, causing flash floods. - Mkini