Flash floods affect several roads in Selangor, bridge collapses

SUNGAI BULOH - Several major roads and areas in Selangor were affected by flash floods following continuous heavy rain since early today, with a bridge along Jalan Kubu Gajah spanning Sungai Subang in the Petaling district collapsing.

According to the Petaling District Public Works Department (JKR), the bridge collapsed at about 2am after strong currents in Sungai Subang eroded the riverbanks, following rainfall of 48 millimetres recorded at the Paya Jaras Hilir station.

The collapse completely cut off the main route linking Kampung Kubu Gajah and Paya Jaras Hilir, prompting authorities to close the road to all vehicles for safety reasons.

To ease traffic disruption, a Traffic Management Plan (TMP) has been activated, with motorists heading to Merbau Sempak and Kubu Gajah diverted via Jalan Merbau Sempak towards Masjid Nurul Iman.

Motorists travelling to Paya Jaras Hilir can use Jalan Paya Jaras Hilir via Federal Route 54 (FT54).

JKR said a temporary Bailey bridge would be installed as a medium-term measure to restore access between the affected areas.

Meanwhile, Selangor Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) Operations Division assistant director Ashrul Riezal Asbar said flash floods also affected Sungai Buloh, Paya Jaras, Kampung Melayu Subang, Rawang and several areas in Shah Alam.

In a related development, floodwaters on major highways have begun to recede, including at the Shah Alam interchange, based on closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage monitored by the Malaysian Highway Authority's (LLM) Traffic Management Centre.

An LLM spokesman said the right and middle lanes at the Shah Alam interchange heading north had been reopened to traffic.

"However, the southbound lanes at the interchange remain temporarily closed to allow debris to be cleared and safety inspections to be carried out before they are fully reopened.

"So far, no other highways have been reported to be affected by flooding," he told Bernama. - BERNAMA