KUALA LUMPUR: A downpour lasting more than three hours yesterday caused traffic chaos and brought many parts of the city to a standstill.

Major roads in the city centre, including Jalan Mahameru, Jalan Bangsar, Jalan Tun Perak, Jalan Cheras, Jalan Sg Besi, Jalan Ampang and Jalan Kuching, were badly affected.

Massive traffic jams were also reported along the Federal Highway, KL-Seremban highway, Jalan Raja Chulan, Jalan Tun Perak and Puduraya.

A City Hall flood operations room spokesman said the water levels at Sungai Klang and Sungai Gombak rose about two metres within an hour after the rain.

"We started receiving distress calls at 3pm from the public about flash floods and rushed our response teams to the affected areas."
A spokesman from the city traffic police control room said traffic police were deployed to the affected areas to control the situation.

A spokesman from the Jalan Hang Tuah Fire and Rescue Department, meanwhile, said the department's personnel were despatched to pump out floodwaters.

Checks at Jalan Pahang and its surrounding areas found scores of bus commuters and vehicles stranded along Jalan Tun Razak, especially near the Pekeliling bus station.

Muhammad Jamal Abdullah, 35, one of the affected commuters, said massive traffic jams particularly after heavy rain were increasingly becoming a norm.

"I have been stuck here for an hour and all vehicles are moving very slowly.

"I think the authorities should look into this matter seriously. This is not the first time." -- Bernama