KL steps up drainage checks ahead of rainy season to prevent flash floods, says Hannah Yeoh

PUTRAJAYA, Nov 3 — Spot checks on drainage systems and cleaning works in Kuala Lumpur are being stepped up to keep drains clear and reduce the risk of flash floods, especially during the rainy season.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh said these checks must be carried out thoroughly, including during the dry season, to ensure cleaning works are done properly and drainage systems function well.

She said clean-looking roads do not necessarily mean the drainage system is in good condition, as drains may be blocked without anyone noticing.

“That is why, before the rainy season, during the dry season, we have already reminded them... we must carry out spot checks,” she told reporters after launching the Community-Based Eco Recycling Hub (COB3R) at Presint 9 here today.

Hannah said each parliamentary branch office has also activated teams to conduct patrols and channel the latest reports on flash flood-prone areas to the Kuala Lumpur mayor.

She said active monitoring is crucial to ensure flash flood hotspots, which were successfully reduced from 30 to 14 over the past three years, do not rise again.

“The goal for Kuala Lumpur is to bring it down further to 10,” she added.

Hannah also said the frequency of cleaning and desilting works on Sungai Toba has increased from twice to six times a year as part of efforts to reduce the risk of flash floods.

She said changing weather patterns and extraordinary heavy rainfall require the authorities to reassess existing standard operating procedures (SOPs) and improve disaster preparedness.

“With the current weather, the current rain, we cannot use ordinary SOPs. We must be prepared,” she said, adding that Kuala Lumpur’s development planning must also adopt the sponge city approach by preserving open and green spaces to help absorb rainwater.

She said development in hilly areas must be strictly controlled to ensure the area’s natural capacity to hold rainwater is not compromised.

“You cannot replace this green space with concrete. The water needs a place to go,” she said. — Bernama

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布城，11月3日讯——吉隆坡正在加强对排水系统和清理工作的抽查，以保持排水沟畅通，降低突发洪水风险，尤其是在雨季。

首相署（联邦直辖区）部长杨巧双表示，必须彻底进行这些检查，包括在旱季期间，以确保清洁工作妥善完成，排水系统运转良好。

她说，道路看起来干净并不一定意味着排水系统状况良好，因为排水沟可能堵塞而无人察觉。

“因此，在雨季到来之前，在旱季期间，我们已经提醒过他们……我们必须进行抽查，”她在今天于9号区启动社区生态回收中心（COB3R）后告诉记者。

汉娜表示，每个国会分部办公室也已启动小组进行巡逻，并将有关易发山洪地区的最新报告提交给吉隆坡市长。

她表示，积极的监测至关重要，以确保过去三年中成功从 30 个减少到 14 个的突发洪水热点地区不会再次出现。

她补充说：“吉隆坡的目标是将感染人数进一步降至10人。”

汉娜还表示，作为减少突发洪水风险的措施之一，多巴河的清理和清淤工作频率已从每年两次增加到每年六次。

她表示，不断变化的天气模式和异常强降雨要求当局重新评估现有的标准操作程序 (SOP)，并提高灾害防备能力。

“鉴于目前的天气和降雨情况，我们不能沿用以往的标准作业程序。我们必须做好准备，”她说道，并补充说，吉隆坡的发展规划也必须采取“海绵城市”的理念，保留开放的绿地空间，以帮助吸收雨水。

她表示，必须严格控制山区的发展，以确保该地区自然蓄水能力不受影响。

“你不能用混凝土取代这片绿地。水需要去处，”她说。——马新社

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