Floods

We are moving to the new year tomorrow. Yes, 2011 just passed and tomorrow we will be in 2012. Just as I was thinking on what subject matter to contribute this time around, my dad suggested that I should write about the fire incident in a hospital in India. I believe you guys too heard about the fire that destroyed a private hospital at India. There was lost of life’s and it was mentioned that the hospital did not adhere to some safety procedures. That’s all with that.

Well, my subject matter today, will be on flash floods that have hit the Klang valley in the last weeks.Not only Klang Valley, many other states in Malaysia experienced floods including sabah and Sarawak. There was heavy down pour for the past two weeks in Klang valley such that many motorists were affected by floods. The roads were jammed and some unfortunate motorists got stuck in the flood waters that over flowed to the roads. Again last week, two motorists drove straight into the Sunway under pass of the Pantai Express Highway not realizing that it was flooded. One of them practically had to climb out of the window. This is how bad the situation was, not to mention the distress and property damage. About a week prior to the above incident, Jalan Tun Razak, Jalan Semarak and Kampung Baru roads in Kuala Lumpur, were flooded. It was reported in the media that the flood was similar to the 2006 floods.

The Smart tunnel which was reported to be the longest and biggest storm drain in South Esat Asia and which was supposed to address the flood problem was helpless to rectify the situation. The RM1.9billion Smart Tunnel was designed such a way should there be a heavy down pour in the Kuala Lumpur town Centre, the water will be channelled to the tunnel such that the road will not be flooded.

On the recent flooding of Jalan Tun Razak, Jalan Semarak and Kampung Baru, the DBKL officials reported that the waterway or rather this particular locations are not covered under the Smart tunnel. What a disappointment that the authorities overlooked these locations despite knowing that these are also flood prone areas. In this incident it was reported that the Sungai Bunus river burst it banks and as such several roads were affected.

Another, question raised was whether the flooding could also be due to huge development around or near the river whereby the developers have failed to look into the drainage system properly. In order to remedy the problem, the DBKL Mayor, have announced an allocation of RM85 mil for flood mitigation works and another RM20 mil for the FT Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) to divert the water from Sg Bunus to Lake Titiwangsa should the former overflow. Let’s hope that this will solve the problem.

Speaking on the same subject, and just to share, if you were driving when there is a heavy downpour,(example along the middle ring road) you would certainly notice flash floods or water clogs along the side of the roads. Assuming you are driving on the middle lane and another car on the right side hit the pool of water clogged, then this water will immediately splash on your car and for a moment or few seconds you will not be able to see what’s in front of you. At this moment you cannot stop neither because the fear of the back car knocking on to you. You may immediately, engage the wiper but it would not be that helpful because the incident happened all of a sudden. I am sure many motorists would have experienced this and it is quite scary. This is also very dangerous and hopefully the relevant authorities look into the drainage system along the roads.

The DBKL and other relevant authorities should also look into the flash floods that are constantly affecting some of the roads in Klang Valley and in other states for the safety of the motorists at large. The drains must be checked and cleaned periodically. Hope the authorities will be proactive in addressing the flash flood issue immediately. In the meantime, to all motorists please drive carefully.

To all we wish you Happy New Year, 2012.