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PETALING JAYA: Experts say the delay in activating the SMART tunnel was not the only culprit for the flash floods in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday.
G&P Water and Maritime Senior Advisor Chong Sun Fatt and Professor Alias Abdullah of the International Islamic University of Malaysia said extremely heavy rains were unpredictable and were the main cause of the flash floods.
Chong, a hydrology expert, noted that Thursday’s rains in the Klang Valley were especially heavy in the northern and eastern part of Kuala Lumpur, where the Gombak and Batu rivers meet.
The southern part of the city received less rain and was saved from flooding, he told FMT.
“The SMART tunnel could only divert runoff from the Sungai Ampang and Sungai Klang tributaries.
“SMART was unable to divert the enormous volume of runoff from the Sungai Gombak and Sungai Batu rivers. This caused high water levels in the river in the center of the city, such as the Masjid Jamek area ”.
Chong also said that the tunnel had “effectively reduced” a certain amount of flood water and that it had prevented the Klang River from overflowing.
He said flood mitigation was more difficult for low-lying areas and older city centers like Kuala Lumpur, as it would require large capital spending and massive relocation operations.
“Technically and economically, we will not be able to end flash floods. It is too expensive and impractical to implement.
“Each drainage system will only provide a certain level of protection in terms of return periods. We cannot provide a totally flood-free drainage system. “
Alias, who specializes in urban and regional planning, said that while the flash floods showed the need for authorities to review their emergency drainage SOPs, the public also played a role in preventing further flooding.
“We cannot just blame one entity, such as the Kuala Lumpur City Council (DBKL, for not managing it well. At the same time, the general public should be careful, as it also contributes (to floods) by dumping garbage down the drains.” .
Alias also said that other activities such as logging and real estate developments added to the city’s poor water drainage systems.
“You could build a lot of SMART tunnels, but it will only be a temporary measure. All parties have to tolerate and work as a team (to overcome the problem), ”he said.
