KUALA LUMPUR: The government should now look at detailed measures for flash flood mitigation in the Klang Valley, following Kuala Lumpur City Hall's (DBKL) announcement on its own action plan.
Alliance for Safe Community chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said while DBKL's interim measures to address flash floods were welcome, the drainage system in other places should also be given attention as they are interconnected.
"The measures implemented by DBKL are long overdue, and I have been highlighting flash floods problem in Kuala Lumpur for over 12 years," he told the New Straits Times.
"The government must ensure sufficient funding to improve the drainage system in the Klang Valley and its maintenance works. The RM10 million budget for the KL flash floods mitigation plan is barely enough, given the severity of the problem," he said.
He said many areas affected by flash floods sit on shared boundaries between Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, hence, measures with a lasting solution for the flash flood issue in Greater KL are needed.
He said it was important that all flood mitigation measures announced are properly monitored and implemented.
Lee said construction works led to debris falling into the drains and blocking the water flow during downpours, which had contributed to flash floods in some areas.
"I live in Cheras near Kampung Pandan and there was frequent occurrence of flash floods there. I did an investigation months ago and found out that the drains there were covered with construction debris.
"The media have been highlighting similar problem faced by residents, year in, year out. However, not much attention was given (by the authorities) on debris covering the drains."
He said there were so many talks on drainage systems in the past but not much being done on the ground.
He said the government must also pay attention to the environmental issue as it strived for development, including in Kuala Lumpur as the national capital.
"The government must be sensitive to the surroundings. With such intensive developments, the environment and drainage system have frequently been overlooked."