Strengthening flood resilience | The Star

KUALA Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has intensified efforts to tackle potential flash floods during the north-east monsoon period expected to bring heavy rainfall until February next year.

One of the preventive measures is the installation of water pumps at various locations.

A DBKL spokesperson said in a statement that the pumps were installed at flood-prone areas such as at the Dato Onn roundabout, Kampung Periuk in Kampung Baru, Jalan Rahmat in Chow Kit and Kampung Kasipillay as well as surrounding areas of Segambut.

“The pumps channel out excess stagnant water.

“Additional maintenance work at retention ponds, rivers and main drains is being carried out.

“These efforts include desilting, cleaning gross pollutant traps (GPT) and removing bushes to ensure these water bodies work efficiently.

“Periodic silt dredging works in flood retention ponds are also done according to current requirements,” the spokesperson said.

Workers clearing weed growing along monsoon drains in Kuala Lumpur.

DBKL has also installed 44 close-circuit television ( CCTV) cameras to monitor the water level at Sungai Klang, Sungai Gombak and Sungai Toba.

The Kuala Lumpur Command and Control Centre (KLCCC) will be tasked with monitoring river water levels constantly.

Pump houses in Kuala Lumpur are also equipped with warning systems to alert DBKL if the water rose to a critical level.

Some DBKL staff have gone through boat handling and disaster management courses including first-aid in water rescue.

DBKL has also prepared logistics equipment like rescue tender, water tender, boats, jet skis and mobile crane to assist during emergencies.

“We have set up the Kuala Lumpur Public Incident Management Committee which is headed by Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Kamarulzaman Mat Salleh.

“The committee will be responsible for managing any disasters happening in Kuala Lumpur.

“We have also prepared 35 community halls as temporary relocation centres to house flood victims in Kuala Lumpur,” the spokesperson said.

Some of the multipurpose halls are located in Ayer Panas, Kampung Baru, Jinjang Utara, and Batu Muda.

To reach DBKL operations control room, call 03-4010 6273 or Whatsapp 019-212 0031.