By Suhaila Shahrul Annuar
KLANG, Aug 5 — The addition of three new screw pumps at the Taman Sri Muda floodgate can pump out water five times faster, thereby reducing the risk of floods in nearby areas.
With an overall capacity of 5,100 litres per second, the RM7.1 million pumps, completed in May, are also capable of sucking up and expelling all rubbish without getting clogged, said state executive councillor for infrastructure and agriculture Izham Hashim.
The construction is an addition to the three existing units, which will function efficiently in the long term to divert excess water if heavy rains occur.
“The total capacity of pumps at the Taman Sri Muda floodgate is approximately 6,000 litres per second now. Taman Sri Muda is always given attention because it is a low-lying area that receives a lot of water.
“The capacity (of the new pumps) is faster at pumping and rubbish does not get stuck, since with ordinary pumps, rubbish would cause blockages. Additionally, it is very suitable for the long term,” he said today.
Earlier, Izham officiated the pump house together with Agriculture and Food Security Minister cum Kota Raja MP Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu.
He added that the project includes a wider scope like slope and embankment protection, installation of the power supply by Tenaga Nasional Berhad, and the construction of quarters for the pump house caretaker.
Meanwhile, Selangor Irrigation and Drainage Department director Nasser Salim said the project, which began on July 1, 2021, received the Certificate of Practical Completion on May 26 last year.
“This project was supposed to be completed on July 1, 2023, but was delayed due to several factors including the Covid-19 pandemic’s Enhanced Movement Control Order and the natural disaster on December 18, 2021,” he said.
Taman Sri Muda was among the worst-affected areas in the December 2021 flood disaster, which claimed 25 lives, including six foreigners, in Selangor.
Besides providing RM1,000 in aid to 114,081 household heads affected by the floods, Selangor also worked tirelessly to clean up flood debris from homes and business premises.
Meanwhile, the councillor said that various projects are being actively undertaken by the Federal government and Selangor, including improving infrastructure management to comprehensively address flood problems.
These efforts include raising the height of existing flood walls along Sungai Klang, as well as upgrading pump houses in retention ponds.
“Continuous efforts by Selangor, the Federal government, and the local authorities aim to solve flood issues holistically in preparation for larger floods,” he said.
Izham said that Selangor has also reapplied for the Langat 2 Flood Mitigation Plan (Hulu Langat) and Phase 2 of the Sungai Buloh Flood Mitigation Plan.
The projects, estimated to cost RM1.2 billion, are highly necessary as they involve extensive basins for critical areas.
“The Langat 2 Flood Mitigation Plan (Hulu Langat) involves the Kajang area, so it can prevent flooding there.
“If these two projects get approval, they are expected to be completed within five years,” he said.
Previously, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said that six flood mitigation projects in Selangor, including the construction of dual-function retention ponds, were retendered urgently, no later than June 2023.
He said that high-impact and people-centric projects must be implemented through tenders to ensure the best value and provide savings for the government.
