The Selangor state government intends to take immediate steps to mitigate floods in Taman Melawis, Klang, said Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari.
He said the state government will increase the number of water pumps, clean the river channel and build a temporary reservoir, in addition to ongoing drainage and flood mitigation projects in the area.
He said the move was due to a high tide phenomenon that is expected to occur beginning tomorrow.
“Part of the reason is due to the ecosystem in which this residential area was built in the 60s and is now surrounded by rapid development. The flow of water increases and worsens the situation with high tides and heavy rains.
"What we can do now is to increase the number of pumps, clear the path to avoid the water from moving slowly and make a temporary reservoir," he was quoted as saying by SelangorKini during a visit to the flood mitigation projects in the area today.
He was accompanied by Klang MP Charles Santiago and Pandamaran assemblyperson Tony Leong.
Amiruddin added that the drainage upgrades and flood mitigation projects began last April and are expected to be completed in April 2024.
"Projects like these take a long time and high costs such as the acquisition of utilities. Although the distance is only 1.2km, it costs about RM16 million because the diversion of electricity, water and so on has a big impact, especially since this park is next to a railway line that uses a high level of electricity," he explained.
Shared resposibility
Meanwhile, Charles said the walking tour around Taman Melawis, involving 15 young people from various Klang-based NGOs, aimed to create awareness of climate change-induced flooding due to high levels of rain and sea-level rise.
Among the key takeaways include how the management and upkeep of the drainage system is a shared responsibility between residents, businesses and authorities.
“The drainage system needs to be cleaned more frequently. And residents and businesses must also stop turning drains into rubbish bins.
“There is a need to upgrade drainage in older neighbourhoods. Drains in these places cannot accommodate the extreme rainfall we see today.
“We need to hold each other accountable to protect our environment so that future generations are not vulnerable because of our inaction,” he said in a statement today.
In the December 2021 floods, Taman Melawis was one of the badly affected areas in the Klang Valley.
The Department of Irrigation and Drainage estimated 316.5mm of rain fell on Klang on Dec 17 last year, surpassing the national monthly average. - Mkini
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