The Malaysian Insight

CITY HALL (DBKL) has installed more than 4,000 closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras in Kuala Lumpur to detect flooding, Parliament was told today. 

Deputy Federal Territories Jalaluddin Alias, said DBKL will be adding another 1,000 more CCTVs for the purpose in June.

The minister was responding to Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad (Setiawangsa-PH) who asked about the capital city’s preparedness for climate change that was expected to lead to more severe floods and landslides over the next 20 years. 

He said the CCTVs were located in flood-prone areas. 

Jalaluddin said DBKL would also take immediate action to clean the drains.

“Traffic management during a flood will continue and be supervised with the help of other agencies such as the Fire and Rescue Department, police, Social Welfare Department, and others,” he said. 

“Temporary evacuation centres will also be open according to the needs and situation of the flooded locality,” he said. 

He said as a short-term measure, DBKL is working to upgrade monsoon drains, roadside drains, and culverts, add and enlarge roadside drains and build etention walls in low-lying areas and along rivers.

Just two months after the Klang Valley saw the worst floods since 1971, Kuala Lumpur was inundated in February and again in March.

The water of seven rivers in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor were reported to have exceeded dangerous levels. 

Lembah Pantai, the Tabung Haji tunnel, Jalan Chan Sow Lin tunnel, Jalan Pudu, Jalan Pahang, Jalan Sri Permaisuri, Jalan Tun Razak, Jalan Kuchai Lama and Jalan Pinang were among the locations that were swamped.