ILLEGAL pipes installed within drainage systems without Kuala Lumpur City Hall’s (DBKL) approval is one of the causes behind the flash floods in the city more than a week ago, Deputy Federal Territories Minister Dr Santhara Kumar said.

He said DBKL found that these pipes, installed without permission, had reduced drainage capacity by between 30% and 40%.

“One of the reasons we found was the drainage had various types of utility pipes channelled into it without the permission of DBKL, and it reduced drainage capacity,” he told reporters after attending a forum to celebrate the 50th year of the Rukun Negara this evening.

DBKL will be issuing letters to the utility agencies concerned and they will be given 30 days to uninstall the pipes and reinstall them correctly and at the right locations, the deputy minister added.

He did not say which agencies were involved or what the pipes were used for.

Heavy rain on September 10 had caused five areas in the capital to be hit by flash floods – Lebuh Ampang in the city centre, Jalan Raja Alang (Kg Baru), Lorong Air Leleh (Setapak), as well as Jalan Gurney and Jalan San Ah Wing (Semarak), with water levels reaching up to 3m.

A total of 15 victims who were stuck in the floods on Jalan Gurney and Kg Periuk on Jalan Raja Alang, were rescued by fire and rescue personnel.

Santhara admitted that it was very unusual for the river to overflow but said that 30 minutes after the rain stopped, the water level receded.

He said DBKL will widen the city’s drainage systems.

“The water receding proves that the drainage system is working but if the capacity is better, then most likely the water will not reach the level it did the other day.

“So, one of DBKL’s plans is to dig and enlarge the existing drains,” he said. – September 20, 2020.