BY GRACE CHEN

The ramp running into Sungai Langat off Jalan Kajang 8 in Taman Kajang Baru, Kajang

A RAMP built for maintenance purposes running into Sungai Langat off Jalan Kajang 8 in Taman Kajang Baru, Kajang, has been identified as one of the causes of flood in six housing estates along the riverbank, said Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) Hulu Langat district engineer Kalaiselvam Velayudan.

A RAMP built for maintenance purposes running into Sungai Langat off Jalan Kajang 8 in Taman Kajang Baru, Kajang, has been identified as one of the causes of flood in six housing estates along the riverbank, said Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) Hulu Langat district engineer Kalaiselvam Velayudan.

The ramp was constructed by Mass Rapid Transit Corporation (MRT) for maintenance purposes. Unfortunately, it has also become a means of entry for rising river water.

The six housing estates affected are Taman Kajang Baru in Sungai Chua, Taman Taming Emas, Taman Pasir Emas, Taman Desa Bunga Raya, Taman Sungai Emas and Taman Hijau, Kajang municipal councillor Lim Kim Eng said, adding that the last flood on May 25 affected up to 200 houses.

“Flooding in the area has occurred on and off over the years but after the construction, it has become worse,” said Lim.

Taman Desa Bunga Ray Residents Association chairman Lok Mook Sing said residents waded through two floods this year with water coming up to their knees.

“We are lucky that there have been no casualties but we have to bear the loss of our furniture and electrical items,” said Lok.

Pit Yoo Bee, 78, whose house is just a few metres from the riverbank said she was not able to move her furniture fast enough. As a result, she was not able to save her sofa set, mattresses and clothes from the dirty, muddy water. Her refrigerator was also damaged in the recent flood.

Other reports include one from Pit’s neighbour, Sia Kim Piau, 78, who said the flood waters had damaged his son’s motorcycle.

Kalaiselvam said no complaints of flooding were made before construction works took place as the old bund, which existed before his appointment as Hulu Langat district engineer, offered sufficient protection against flooding.

To counter the floods, Kalaiselvam has instructed MRT to close the ramp temporarily with sandbags.

He said it would not be wise to close the ramp for good as this would hamper future maintenance works on the rail transit line.

Kalaiselvam has also called for the height of the existing bund to be raised to 8m to stem the rise in water levels and said work would start immediately.

He reminded relevant parties not to undermine the might of Sungai Langat as the river is fed by six tributaries.

At the banks off Jalan Kajang 8, for example, the left side of the river is fed by Sungai Jeluh just a kilometre away while Sungai Merbau flows into it just 3km away.

This explains why water levels here can rise as much as 3m in just a few seconds during heavy rain.

An inspection team to the site included representatives from MRT, Lim and Kalaiselvam.