Anyway, below are three reports by BERNAMA - Malaysia's national news agency on statements by ministers and the Deputy Prime Minister on the causes of the flash floods and actions they recommend and propose.
Great statements and proposals for action by the Federal Government ministers but will these proposed actions solve these chronic and recurring problems of flash floods plaguing the Klang Valley?
BERNAMA reports on its own website on 12th May, the day when the flash floods referred to occurred in the evening:-
DBKL To Use Pipe Jacking System To Solve Flash Floods At 4 1/2 Mile Jln Klang Lama Market
KUALA LUMPUR, May 12 (Bernama) -- Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has proposed the installation of underground pipes at the 4 1/2 Mile Jalan Klang Lama market to solve flash floods in the area.
DBKL Civil Engineering and Urban Transportation Department deputy director Sabudin Mohd Saleh said the pipe jacking process will start from the market to across the street, heading towards Sungai Klang to allow smooth flow of water.
"The flash floods occurred because the housing development project is situated too close to the market and the existing pipes cannot accommodate the storm runoff," he said when contacted by Bernama here today.
However, Sabudin said the proposal was still being discussed and detailed studies were needed before its implementation.
Meanwhile, DBKL advisory board member Datuk Wilson Lau Hoi Keong who visited the market today said some 100 traders were affected when the market was flooded on May 2.
Lau said following the visit, DBKL would hold a meeting with the traders, Pasar Batu 4 Jalan Klang Lama Hawker Association, concessionaire Alam Flora Sdn Bhd and the housing project developer to resolve problems.
-- BERNAMA
http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v8/ge/newsgeneral.php?id=1245126
On 13th May, Free Malaysia Today carried this BERNAMA report:-
Inefficient street drainage cause of KL flash floods
May 13, 2016
Minister says drainage system for the Jalan Duta, Universiti Malaya and Bangsar areas needs to be upgraded by the authorities.
PUTRAJAYA: Natural Resources and Environment Minister Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar has attributed the cause of severe flash floods in Kuala Lumpur yesterday to an inefficient street drainage system.
He said that as a short-term measure, the drainage waterways would have to be deepened and maintenance of the system would have to be carried out more regularly.
“As a long-term measure, the drainage system for the Jalan Duta, Universiti Malaya and Bangsar areas will have to be upgraded by the authorities,” he told a press conference on the floods today.
The roads worst affected by the floods in Kuala Lumpur yesterday were Jalan Semantan, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Halim (Jalan Duta), Jalan Bangsar, Jalan Pudu and Jalan Pantai Baharu.
Wan Junaidi said he did not rule out the possibility that the flash floods in Jalan Duta were caused by the construction of the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) in the area.
“I may speak to them,” he said when asked whether he would discuss the matter with the MRT authorities.
He said the Department of Irrigation and Drainage had prepared an environmentally friendly drainage master plan and detailed design in accordance with the Environmentally Friendly Drainage Manual for submission to the state governments and local authorities as construction and maintenance of street drainage systems came under their jurisdiction.
Wan Junaidi advised the people against throwing refuse into the drainage systems and rivers so as to reduce the risk of flash floods and to enable the systems to function at full capacity.
– BERNAMA
http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2016/05/13/inefficient-street-drainage-cause-of-kl-flash-floods/
Also on 13th May, Free Malaysia Today carred ins BERNAMA report about the statement by Klang Valley Mass Rapid Transit project implementation partner MMC-Gamuda rebutting allegations that its construction works were responsible for the flash floods.
MRT project didn't cause flash floods, says MMC Gamuda
May 13, 2016
Company says work now relates to tracks and signalling, ground activities are complete with permanent drainage that is well-maintained.
KUALA LUMPUR: MMC Gamuda KVMRT (PDP) Sdn Bhd, the project delivery partner of the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT), clarified that the flash flood that occurred near Jalan Duta yesterday evening was not related to the MRT construction.
MMC Gamuda KVMRT (PDP), in a statement today, said based on the investigations conducted, the incident was not caused by nor related to the construction of the MRT Sungai Buloh-Kajang (SBK) line.
“The current construction activities at MRT Jalan Duta worksite are carried out on the MRT elevated viaduct, such as the train and the signaling works.
“The ground activities, such as civil works and permanent drainage, have been completed and continuously well-maintained,” the statement said.
MMC Gamuda KVMRT (PDP) said it would continue to work hand-in-hand with its Work Package Contractors to provide support to the public along the SBK MRT alignment during this rainy season.
– BERNAMA
And today, 14th May 2016, Free Malaysia Today carried this BERNAMA report:-
Flash floods: Probe into corruption in mega-projects
May 14, 2016
Zahid: those accusing each other to be ordered to work together to find best solution.
KUALA LUMPUR: The government will investigate possible elements of corruption in development projects in the federal capital, especially those involving mega projects, which might have triggered the recent flash floods.
Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the authorities responsible would be asked to conduct investigations and provide full reports on the incident to enable follow-up actions to be taken.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also the chairman of the Cabinet Committee on Disasters, said parties accusing each other of the problem would be ordered to sit down and find the best solution to tackle the issue.
“The best is to resolve the people’s problem in both the short and long term so that it would not recur. There should be no flash floods in Kuala Lumpur as the system and infrastructure for flood management were good.
“Maybe there is a problem with draining water from excessive rain…I will assist the ministries and departments concerned to resolve the problem,” he said.
– BERNAMA
http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2016/05/14/flash-floods-probe-into-corruption-in-mega-projects/
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