Wan Junaidi: Drainage system couldn’t contain heavy rain

KUALA LUMPUR: The flash floods that hit the Klang Valley on Wednesday was caused by the drainage and irrigation system’s inability to contain the heavy flow of water.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said the drainage system in affected areas could not divert the water into the main channel.

“Some structures (trash traps) built along the main channel obstructed the strong water current from flowing,” he said in a statement yesterday.

To ensure flash floods did not recur, he said local councils must carry out maintenance on the drainage system immediately.

He said as a long-term measure, a study on the effectiveness of the drainage system should be carried out to find a solution to the problem.

The Petaling district saw 59mm in rainfall, while areas in Gombak saw 36.8mm.

Areas affected in Gombak included Jalan B27 near Rawang Jusco, Kampung Bahagia in Bukit Lagong, Rahmat Jaya Phase 4 and Kampung Melayu Sungai Buloh.

Other areas included Kampung Baru Sungai Buloh, Persiaran Surian, Jalan Kuala Selangor, Kampung Paya Jaras Hilir, Jalan Tempinis in Puchong, Kampung Kuala Sungai Baru, IOI Puchong in the Petaling district and Jalan B48 Tok Merong in Sepang.

Also affected were Taman Suria and Kampung Hang Tuah in Bestari Jaya.