KUALA LUMPUR: The flash floods that inundated several roads in the capital on Monday occurred after the drainage system, including those along the roads were unable to cope with the heavy downpour.
Drainage and Irrigation Department director-general Datuk Ir Dr Md Nasir Md Noh in a statement yesterday said the capital received 120mm of rainfall within two hours following a continuous downpour which started at 2.45pm on April 25.
The heavy rainfall, he said, resulted in water levels in Sungai Gombak at the Jalan Tun Razak station and Sungai Batu in Sentul to exceed the danger levels of 32.45m and 34.03m respectively.
"The drainage system was unable to cope with the high flow of excess water and the backflow problem due to the rise of water levels at both rivers.
"This triggered flash floods which led to traffic congestions as well as damaging several vehicles that were stranded on the main roads," he said.
The flash floods occurred despite all the flood control system infrastructure under the Federal Territory Irrigation and Drainage Department operating well in accordance with standard operating procedures (SOP).
The Smart Mode 2 diversion was activated at 3.40pm yesterday while the Keroh and Gombak diversions were activated at 3.50pm and 4.12pm, respectively.
The roads affected were Jalan Kuching, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Halim, Jalan Semantan, Jalan Segambut, Segambut short cut, Jalan Kinabalu (Bulatan Merdeka), Jalan Changkat Thambi Dollah, Lebuhraya Sultan Iskandar, Jalan Travers, Dato Onn Roundabout, Jalan Maarof, Bangsar and Jalan Merdeka.
"More than 50 houses along Jalan Kasipillay, Jalan Batu Bata, Segambut Bahagia and Segambut Dalam were flooded with 0.3m water," he said.
He also advised residents in low-lying areas to be more cautious and stay vigilant during heavy rain.
The public are also advised to be on alert to the sound of flood warning sirens and monitor weather conditions.
"Residents have to be prepared to move to safer places and follow orders by the authorities if heavy rainfall and high tides happen at the same time," he said.