Klang residents demand action after years of inundation

Some residents in Taman Petaling Indah, Klang want the monsoon drain along Jalan Bagor that gets clogged and overflows when it rains to be properly maintained.— CHAN TAK KONG/The Star

WITH extreme weather and heavy rainfall becoming more common, residents of Taman Petaling Indah in Klang, Selangor, are calling for increased cleaning frequency for monsoon drains, particularly along Jalan Bagor.

This was a problematic area prone to overflowing during downpours, they said, and called on Klang Royal City Council (MBDK) to be proactive in addressing the issue.

“Just 10 minutes of rain is all it takes to flood the neighbourhood and people’s homes,” said Taman Petaling Indah Residents Association (TPIRA) committee member Anthony Dass, 58.

He said contractors carried out minor cleaning about a week ago but it had not done any good.

“About 380 houses are affected.

“We have contacted the assemblyman, city councillor and the Klang MP to do something.

“All we get is finger-pointing, from MBDK to Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) and Public Works Department (JKR).

“There is so much growth in the monsoon drain that needs to be cleaned out,” said Anthony.

TPIRA committee member Joseph Arokiasamy said his home had flooded five times this year.

“There was a news report on this same matter published 25 years ago highlighting floods in Leboh Seraya here.

“Despite past complaints, there has been no tangible action.

“In 2008, we tried to prevent floodwater from entering our homes by elevating our kitchen by two feet as temporary relief.

“However, the flooding persists. We are still hopeful for permanent solutions,” said Joseph.

TPIRA president Ganesan Thangaraju, 64, said the authorities were late in addressing the problem.

“The monsoon drain cannot accommodate water that flows through from Hospital Tengku Ampuan Rahimah and Taman Sri Andalas areas,” he said.

He stressed that the relevant authorities urgently needed to fix structural issues at the drain.

Resident Rahman Ismail, 80, who has lived in the neighbourhood for 44 years, said it made no sense to widen the monsoon drain. He said it needed to be deepened instead.

Resident Kenny Yap, 58, said the monsoon drain needed to be desilted and unclogged as soon as possible.

“It floods from the Taman Chi Liung roundabout all the way to the drain,” he said.

Meanwhile, Klang MP V. Ganabatirau in his recent social media post said he had conducted a site visit to Taman Palm Grove with Telok Gading Rukun Tetangga committee members as well as representatives from Klang DID and MBDK.

This is to address issues in Persiaran Seraya and Taman Sungai Sireh, including the Sungai Sireh sluice gate.

“Among the areas visited were Persiaran Raja Muda Musa (in the residential area), Persiaran Tengku Ampuan Rahimah, the residential roads, Persiaran Seraya, Lebuh Turi and Taman Radzi.”

He said Klang DID officials had delineated the division of labour between itself and MBDK on maintenance areas, and DID sluice gate operations during high and low tides.

He added that Klang DID said it would send a written application to Klang JKR on the issue.

“We believe there is blockage in the culvert drain maintained under Klang JKR,” said Ganabatirau.

“MBDK officials said they carried out a site visit last week in Persiaran Seraya and will manage the work of cleaning the bushes and widening the concrete at the bottom of the drain.”