BY VIJENTHI NAIR
The Star
Frequent occurrence: Jalan Kolam Ayer 2 was among the areas hit by floods
THE downpour on Thursday evening caused a landslip in SMK Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur resulting in a portion of the slope along the school’s perimeter falling.
Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar visited the site at noon yesterday and called on the authorities to take immediate action to repair the slope.
“The Fire and Rescue Department has cordoned off the area but no other agency has come to check the damage,’’ she said.
She said remedial work should have already started.
“The authorities should have a greater sense of urgency as it involves the safety of residents as well as students and teachers,’’ she added.
Meanwhile, Thursday’s 4pm downpour also caused massive traffic jam and flash floods in several areas.
In Jalan Ipoh, more than 100 houses along Jalan Kolam Ayer 2 off Jalan Ipoh were flooded for the second time this year.
Resident T. Ravichandran said the water rose to 2m within 20 minutes, catching residents off guard.
“A RM6mil flood mitigation project by the Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID), which includes building a retaining wall to prevent the water from the nearby Batu River from overflowing, is still under construction.
“It was supposed to be completed in February and put an end to the floods here,” he said.
He added that the situation had worsened as more water was seeping from underground because of construction work.
“The residents are frustrated at having to deal with floods time and time again despite assurances from the authorities that something is being done.
“I hope Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) will look into finding a permanent solution to the problem,” he said.
Dangerous situation: The damage caused bythe landslip at SMK Bangsar following the downpour on Thursday evening.
Federal Territory PPP chief Datuk A. Chandrakumanan said land acquisition issues were hampering the flood remedial project.
“Some of the squatters have yet to move out despite being given alternative housing. We have also not reached agreement with a Chinese temple on the hill about the retaining wall, which will eat into their land.
“On top of that, the area has several plots of private land where people have built their houses without a proper drainage system.
“I will be calling a meeting with DID and DBKL soon to expedite the completion of this project. We need cooperation from all parties,” he said.
A DBKL spokesman said their hotline received a total of eight complaints.
“There were flashfloods in Wira Jaya in Setapak, Jalan Kuching heading toward Selayang near the Segambut flyover, the access road to Pantai Hillpark and Jalan Rahmat off Jalan Ipoh.
“We were also informed of a landslip in a house along Lorong Maarof, a collapsed wall in Taman Desa Petaling, a sunken road near Maybank in Jalan Telawi, Bangsar and an uprooted tree in Wira Jaya, Setapak.
“DBKL despatched 54 personnel from its Emergency Response Team to attend to the calls,” he said.
Source:
http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Community/2013/10/12/Heavy-rain-causes-landslip-at-school-Check-damage-immediately-to-allay-fears-authorities-urged.aspx