Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has been called upon to re-evaluate the drainage system along Jalan Metro Perdana Barat in Kepong, where the primary road has become prone to sudden flooding.
During a press briefing, Dic Lai, assistant to Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng, stated that the main road would experience flooding after just 30 minutes of heavy rain.
“This March, the MP’s office was inundated with complaints regarding the frequent flooding on Jalan Metro Perdana Barat 17, a residential road adjacent to the main thoroughfare,” Lai noted.
According to Lai, a site inspection was conducted later that month in conjunction with DBKL, revealing that the houses situated in the center of the road were at a lower elevation and were often severely affected by flash floods.
“Due to the low-lying position of these houses, the current drainage infrastructure is incapable of redirecting water from the neighborhood into the main monsoon drain along Jalan Metro Perdana Barat,” he explained.
“We were informed by the authorities that there is currently no allocation for upgrading the drainage system,” he added.
Lai also mentioned that a sound barrier, constructed during an earlier road improvement project this year, had obstructed a portion of the drainage system responsible for channeling water from the neighborhood to the monsoon drain outside of the area.
“Addressing this issue may require a re-evaluation of both the drainage system and the sound barrier,” Lai stated.
“The situation may be further complicated by the presence of a DBKL bicycle lane running along the main road all the way to Taman Metropolitan Kepong,” he added.
Lai reported that a flash flood on October 2 affected both the main road and Jalan Metro Perdana Barat 17.
A joint inspection of both roads was carried out earlier this month.
Lai confirmed that the matter has been referred to DBKL’s Urban Transportation Department and its Civil Engineering and Drainage Department.
