KLANG: Traders in Little India here are frustrated with the increasingly frequent flash floods that have been affecting their businesses.
They claim that the business area would become inundated with water even after short bouts of heavy rain.
Jewellery shop owner N Supramaniam, 67, said the floods could be avoided if the area’s drainage system was well-maintained, reducing the risk of water entering business premises here.
Met at his shop, Supramaniam said flash floods not only cause losses to traders through damaged goods, but also makes it difficult for the public to access the area.
“Yesterday, another flash flood occurred in this area. The back part of my shop was flooded, and furniture and other items were damaged. This is not the first time it has happened.
“I urge the local authorities to take action before the situation worsens and becomes uncontrollable,” said Supramaniam, whose family business has been running here for almost 70 years.
He hoped the local authorities would check the drains and water channels more frequently and take immediate action if any issues were detected.
Electrical and electronics shop owner Lim Kum Loke was prompted to build a zinc barrier to prevent water from entering his premises.
Lim, 75, said the barrier was only a temporary solution because if it rained heavily for longer periods, water would still overflow into his shop.
“Yesterday, the water rose to about 1ft high, but luckily, I had the barrier and so the floodwater did not enter the shop,” he said.
Lim, whose business also started here 70 years ago, urged the authorities to carry out drain cleaning and maintenance work.
Henna dealer G Kisnawe, 24, said her business depended on high footfall.
“I run a small business, and my income is uncertain. If many people come, it’s okay, but what worries me is if a flood occurs, I have to close the shop,” she said.
She hoped that a long-term solution would be found to address the situation.
Yesterday, a video of flash floods around the Little India area went viral, as water rose to knee level and entered business premises. - FMT
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