By Amin Ridzuan Ishak
SHAH ALAM, Dec 27 — KDEB Waste Management (KDEBWM) has extended its operations into the night to speed up the collection of post-flood bulk waste, especially in critical areas.
Its managing director Ramli Mohd Tahir said the extension began yesterday, as the electricity supply for more areas returned, which enabled the extension.
Prior to this, night time collection was impossible as the dark roads made some routes impassable.
“This is a new strategy we are implementing after reevaluating the work done to provide comfort to flood victims,” he said when met at his office here today.
Ramli added KDEBWM faces huge challenges in clearing bulk garbage from houses, shops, and factories affected by the floods, including manpower constraints as personnel need to be given adequate rest.
“Imagine the fatigue they experience working from early in the morning, the maximum we can allow is until night because they also need to rest.
“In this current situation, they have to work manually which also adds to the workload,” he said.
The solid waste management company wholly owned by the state government has been cleaning up flood-affected areas in several districts since December 19 in stages, with work expected to be completed in a week’s time.
Selangor has also received assistance from the local authorities in other states, as well as volunteers to expedite the cleanup.
The extraordinary rain from December 17 to 19 was double the previous highest rainfall average of 180mm, resulting in many places in Selangor becoming submerged in water.
