200 families affected as flash floods hit Saujana Utama

KUALA SELANGOR: About 200 families in Taman Seri Alam, Saujana Utama, here, were affected by flash floods after a retention pond overflowed following prolonged rain yesterday afternoon.

Saujana Utama Residents Representative Council and community development chairman Wan Ismail Hashim said water from the pond spilled over into houses after it could no longer hold the volume.

He said the retention pond did not burst, unlike in previous incidents.

"Based on early estimates, about 200 families in Taman Seri Alam were affected by the overflowing retention pond.

"Water levels varied by area. Some reached knee height, but in most affected houses in Seri Alam, the water was estimated to be about 0.3m deep," he said when contacted.

Wan Ismail said Saujana Perdana also saw spillage, though floodwaters only reached car porches in the SU4 area as of yesterday afternoon.

Continuous heavy rain also caused a drainage bund to burst near the Eco Grandeur boundary, while several surrounding retention ponds reached maximum capacity.

"The retention pond could not cope with the volume, while outflow into the river slowed because river levels were already high.

"The Kuala Selangor Municipal Council deployed two water pumps, one each in Taman Seri Alam and Saujana Perdana.

"The pumps channelled water from monsoon drains and residential areas into the retention pond, but the impact was limited because the pond's own water level was already high," he said.

Wan Ismail said surrounding development and drainage maintenance issues contributed to the flooding, along with the prolonged rain and slow water outflow.

He said relevant authorities must pay attention to periodic maintenance of drains and drainage systems, particularly main outlets channelling water away from residential areas.

"Development played a part. Drain maintenance is also an issue, though it is not entirely due to development.

"Heavy rain and slow outflow are factors as well. I urge the relevant authorities to give extra attention to scheduled maintenance," he said.

Wan Ismail said joint monitoring by the council, police, district office, and residents' representatives was continuing to keep the situation under control.

He said the situation was improving following intervention by relevant agencies working together with residents.

"The rain has stopped for now. Our concern is that if it rains again, the water will rise.

"So far, water levels have receded slightly, but some areas still have stagnant water that has yet to drain off," he said.

He added that the district administration was prepared to open a temporary relief centre at Dewan Ixora Hillpark if conditions worsen and evacuations become necessary.