Keeping close watch for floods

Mobile CCTVs and simulation exercises among measures taken in Shah Alam

SHAH Alam City Council (MBSA) is preparing to face potential floods during the current northeast monsoon season.

The move is also in response to the devastating floods that hit Taman Sri Muda at Section 25, Shah Alam, in December 2021.

“We will be acquiring 153 additional mobile CCTV units by next month to monitor flood hotspots in low-lying areas all over the city,” said MBSA deputy secretary (management) Asmah Mohd Zin.

“We will be working closely with government agencies such as the JKR (Public Works Department) and DID (Drainage and Irrigation Department) to instal these CCTVs, as some flood hotspots are under those agencies’ purviews.”

She added that the mobile CCTVs would be complemented by drones handled by four qualified personnel and that all the camera feeds would be monitored at MBSA’s command centre.

When not used for floods, Asmah said the mobile CCTVs could be used to monitor illegal dumpsites and for other emergencies.

MBSA’s other flood preparations include an audit of the relevant assets and machinery to ensure they are in working order, she added.

“We also held flood simulation exercises with related agencies such as land and district offices (Petaling and Klang), Fire and Rescue Department, DID and police,” said Asmah.

“Ready-to-eat food, mineral water and emergency items such as life jackets, torchlights and boats have also been deployed to designated halls in selected MPP (Residents’ Representative Council) zones so these can be quickly distributed if needed.”

Asmah was speaking on the sidelines of the city council’s gotong-royong programme in preparation for floods at Taman Sri Muda.

Students from various institutions of higher education in Shah Alam participating in the cleanup programme in Taman Sri Muda.

The half-day programme saw some 1,500 participants simultaneously cleaning up four zones in the neighbourhood, which included residential, business and public areas.

The volunteers and staffers came from Tzu Chi Foundation Malaysia, Universiti Teknologi Mara, Management and Science University, Vis Mechatronic College, Local Government Development Ministry and MBSA’s MPPs.

Teams from KDEB Waste Management, DID and JKR were also present to render assistance in terms of manpower and machinery.

“There are several aspects to today’s programme,” said MBSA’s Solid Waste Management and Public Cleaning Department director Mohd Azmi Amer Khan.

“There will be drain cleaning, removing rubbish that could clog or affect the functions of drainage or pump structures as well as collecting bulk waste and other unwanted items.

“Most of the volunteers will be involved in sweeping and general cleaning work.”

Kota Kemuning assemblyman Preakas Sampunathan hoped that early preparations and various initiatives taken by MBSA, state government and DID would mitigate the flood problems in Taman Sri Muda.

“We also need the people’s support and cooperation on this matter. They need to keep their surroundings clean and avoid dumping rubbish indiscriminately,” he said.

“I also asked about the status of drainage and infrastructure upgrade projects in Taman Sri Muda and its surrounding areas at the November state assembly sitting.”

Preakas said a RM6.89mil drainage upgrade system by Selangor DID was expected to be completed by late January 2024. Works include protecting bunds, installing screw pumps and constructing TNB compact sub and electrical components.

There are four projects by MBSA totalling RM8.77mil.

They include constructing two pump houses as well as upgrading drains, sewers and ditches.

Two projects are scheduled to be completed by the end of this year; two others by November next year.

Details on the upgrades can be viewed on Preakas’ social media platforms.