City Hall’s flash flood mitigation measures show positive results

KUALA LUMPUR - A total of 14 interim mitigation measures implemented by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) before this has managed to reduce flash floods in the city centre.

Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Dr Shahidan Kassim said this was proven during the thunderstorms on Wednesday which saw the water receded in less than 30 minutes.

He said that as many as 120 water pumps mobiles used to remove stagnant water have helped accelerate the low tide.

"The incident yesterday (Wednesday) also did not involve any evacuation or landslide incident.

“The Implementation of flood warning sirens by Department of Irrigation and Drainage, short message service and the City Hall's Transportation Management Center system Integrated also gave early warning to city ​​residents to avoid flash flood locations," he said in a statement on Thursday.

He added that the use of 5,000 sandbags on the river bank had successfully prevented Klang and Gombak Rivers from overflowing to affected areas, especially on Jalan Segambut and Jalan Ampang.

"In this case, City Hall will add 5,000 bags of sand to be placed on newly identified areas with potential of flash floods, ”he said.

Shahidan said City Hall and the Disaster Management Committee agencies Federal Territory would continue its efforts as planned to further reduce the incidents of flash floods in Kuala Lumpur.

However, he said, more volunteers were needed to be stationed at 25 flood hotspot locations in the city.

"Therefore, the ministry and City Hall are in the process of appointing more volunteers," he said.