SHAH ALAM, May 9 — The Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) will construct a new drainage system along Jalan 18/17 in Petaling Jaya, to overcome the issue of flash floods in Bukit Gasing.
The Star reported its state assemblyman Rajiv Rishyakaran as saying the project is expected to help channel water more effectively into a nearby monsoon drain.
He said that floods often occurred as the existing earth drain had been poorly maintained. It is the sole channel between neighbourhood drains and the monsoon drain
“Over the years, the earth drain has become a bottleneck for rainwater outflow during heavy rain, which has caused occasional ankle to knee-high floods.
“This new 130-metre drain will have its own outlet into the monsoon drain, creating an additional channel for rainwater to flow into the nearby monsoon drain,” Rajiv said.
In turn, he said this will solve the problem of water accumulation in local drains since there be two channels.
Rajiv also commended KDEB Waste Management Sdn Bhd (KDEBWM) for doing a good job of keeping the monsoon drain clear of debris and blockages, adding that residents have been raising the issue of poor water flow to MBPJ and his office.
“It does not always flood but when rainfall is unusually heavy, the water overflows from the drains, which happens a few times each year,” he said.
The project, estimated to cost RM405,000, is now half-done and expected to complete by June 23.
“With this project, there should not be any more flooding in Bukit Gasing, as all known areas have been sorted out, but we will remain alert for any new issues,” said Rajiv.
In the state constituency, there are a number of flood hotspots caused by drainage issues, which have been addressed over the past decade.
The hotspots include Jalan Railway, Jalan Carey, Jalan 1/3, Jalan Templer, SJKT Vivekananda, Jalan 18/11, Taman Kanagapuram, as well as areas in Section 6, Section 8, Section 12, and Section 17.
On his part, MBPJ Zone 16 councillor Terrance Tan said the existing 100-metre earth drain is situated on private land, and its maintenance was only been carried out by KDEBWM on a voluntary basis.
“This causes backflow into local drains when there is heavy rainfall, causing rainwater to overflow onto the roads,” he said.
