Taman Sri Muda residents claim negligence in flood petition to S'gor MB

Taman Sri Muda residents have petitioned Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari to demand better flood management, claiming that the flash flood on Nov 8 was caused by negligence from the Selangor Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID).

Taman Sri Muda Zone D residents’ association president Andrew de Silva presented the petition and spoke on behalf of residents at a press conference today, which was held right in front of the water lock that mitigates the Klang River in Shah Alam.

“The recent flash flood that hit us could have been easily prevented as there is an officer from the Selangor DID who usually controls the gates at the water lock.

“However, the officer was not monitoring the gates that day and was half an hour late because of the heavy rain.

“By the time he arrived, Sri Muda’s Zone D was already flooded,” the association’s president claimed.

Malaysiakini is seeking a response from Amirudin’s office and the Selangor DID on these allegations.

The petition includes reports on floods in the area made by residents to various authorities such as Kota Raja incumbent MP Mohamad Sabu and the Shah Alam City Council (MBSA).

A phobia of heavy rain

At least 10 reports were made since 2019, but residents claimed not many improvements have been made in the area.

“Our issue with flooding did not start last year. We have been suffering for a long time and it gets worse each year,” said de Silva.

The petition also outlined issues within the area that causes floods, such as garbage-clogged drains and shallow trenches.

They claimed that water would flow from Kota Kemuning and Alam Megah into Taman Sri Muda under heavy rain.

This links to a past allegation that the Irrigation Department failed to develop and manage any floods linked to the Klang River.

The association’s secretary, Rosnah Mahmood, said residents have now even developed a phobia of heavy rain.

“Every time we hear thunder, every time we see how heavy the rain is, the first thing we do is panic.

“We are worried that a flash flood would happen, and then we panic about the state of our homes, our children, and belongings,” she said.

In massive floods last year, Taman Sri Muda was among the worst-affected areas, with most houses inundated by flood waters over 3m-deep in some areas. Thousands were displaced and 14 people died.

The petition was filed shortly after the federal government claimed in a court filing that the flood that hit Taman Sri Muda last year was “acts of God”. - Mkini