KAJANG: FIFTY business operators, whose premises around Kajang Market were hit by a flash flood on Monday evening, are urging the authorities to complete a flood mitigation project as soon as possible.
The project, which started in 2008, involves widening Sungai Jelok from 15m to 20m, channelling water to Sungai Langat and constructing a retaining wall. The river is located 200m away.
It is learnt that the project has been delayed since 2011 because the Kajang Municipal Council is still in the process of relocating stalls along the riverbank.
The shop owners said they were worried that their premises would be flooded whenever it rained heavily.
Myad Lin, 37, who was working at a hardware shop in front of the market, said: “The rain started at about 4.30pm and, after five minutes, the water level had reached knee-level and entered the shop.
“We had to close our shop early at 5pm and try to save the goods.
“Luckily, there were three of us in the shop. We moved the electrical appliances to a dry area,” he said, adding that the shop suffered a loss of about RM300.
Yesterday, Myad and workers at nearby shops were cleaning up their premises.
Jamal Ali, who works at one of the affected shops, said the problem was worse before the flood mitigation project began.
“After the bridge over Sungai Jelok was upgraded last year, we experienced fewer flash floods.
“As a precaution, we built a cement barrier in front of our premises to stop the floodwater from flowing into the shop. We hope the authorities can expedite the completion of the flood mitigation project,” he said, adding that the floodwater subsided after 30 minutes.
Kajang assemblyman Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, who visited the shoplots, said two tree trunks found in the river may have worsened the flood.
Meanwhile, an hour-long storm on Monday evening wreaked havoc at several areas in Shah Alam, including Section U2, U8, 8 and 9. Trees were uprooted and signboards fell on cars.
Shah Alam City Council deputy corporate communications director Shahrin Ahmad said about 100 council staff and contractors were involved in the clean-up. He said the work was being done in stages. He said the uprooted trees had been cut and would be removed soon.