KUALA LUMPUR: The flash flood in Jalan Pinang on Wednesday was due to a monsoon drain that could not contain the rainwater from a heavy downpour.
“The open car park at Wisma UOA sits on land lower than the road. The rainwater in the city centre goes into the underground monsoon drain called Treacher Valley Stream, to be channelled into Sungai Klang,” said City Hall director-general Datuk Mohd Amin Nordin.
“Unfortunately, the drain did not have sufficient capacity for heavy rainfall. Back when we designed the drainage, normal rainfall was 30mm but the rainfall on Wednesday was 75mm. To make matters worse, the culverts were choked with rubbish and mud.
“We have asked Alam Flora to clear the blockage. Alam Flora inspects the drainage once a month and we are reviewing the process for more frequent inspections,” he said.
Amin said the City Hall emergency and rescue team (ERT) was dispatched to the affected locations at around 6pm but had arrived late due to the traffic congestion.
“Our ERT and flying squad worked till midnight removing felled trees and rubbish. They resumed the cleaning-up work early this morning.
“We are discussing the matter of preparing for future flash floods with the relevant agencies including the police, Fire and Rescue Department, Irrigation and Drainage Department, Civil Defence Department, Health Department and Mass Rapid Transit Corp,” he said.