KL Flood Mitigation Project Ready In Two Years

KUALA LUMPUR, June 8 (Bernama) -- The Kuala Lumpur Flood Mitigation Project, started six years ago to alleviate flood problems in the city and Shah Alam caused by overflowing of river water during a downpour, is expected to be completed in another two years.
Drainage and Irrigation Department director-general Datuk Keizrul Abdullah, however, cautioned city folk that the project would not guarantee there would not be any more flooding.
"If the people continue to dump rubbish into the drains and rivers, no matter how sophisticated the project is, the (flood) problem will persist," he told a press conference to respond to complaints from city folk who doubted the effectiveness of the Stormwater Management and Road Tunnel (SMART) project due to flooding in the city on Saturday after heavy rain.
The project comprises two packages, Package A which is the SMART Tunnel (already opened to traffic with the flood mitigation system expected to be completed next month), and Package B which involves the construction of several water retention ponds and upgrading of rivers.
He said Package B involved building of a retention pond in Jinjang, upgrading of Sungai Gombak and the Keroh diversion, costing RM640 million.
The package also includes a 20-hectare flood water retention pond near the Seri Johor Flats to solve the flood problem at the Sungai Besi Highway (Besraya) and part of the Kuala Lumpur-Seremban Expressway by channelling excess water from Sungai Kerayong.
The project, costing RM95 million, is scheduled for completion early next year.
The third project is upgrading of Sungai Kerayong costing RM185 million, which is expected to be completed in September 2008.
The fourth project involves construction of a retention pond for Sungai Damansara, costing RM350 million and scheduled for completion in August, to overcome flood problems at TTDI Shah Alam, Batu Tiga, Kebun Bunga, the Federal Highway and Kampung Melayu Subang.
Keizrul said the projects were meant to address flood problems in areas near rivers and also to prevent flash floods in the city.
Flash floods might happen in the old settlements due to the old drainage system which needed upgrading like in Hulu Kelang, Kepong, Jinjang and Jalan Kelang Lama, he added.
"However, we believe flooding will no longer be a problem in areas along Sungai Klang, Ampang to the city once the SMART Tunnel is fully functional and the retention ponds in Kampung Berembang and Taman Desa are ready.
"The flood which happened recently was not caused by the SMART Tunnel not functioning well but because the water channelling system is still not completed," he added.

tunku : hope people will understand well now before starts to blame the mart tunnel which has not operates its flood mitigation system that is expected to be completed next month.it's not easy to fight nature and everyone should take part, not only the government.