ALL HANDS ON DECK: Council workers clearing the streets in Kajang town the day after the flood
An estimated RM2.4 million of losses was recorded after a flash flood hit Kajang last Friday.
Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj) public relations and corporate planning unit head Shariman Mohd Nor said yesterday 61 traders recorded losses of between RM1,000 and RM250,000.
“At least 54 cars parked in the basement of Metro Plaza were submerged in water,” he said.
Shariman attributed the main cause of the flood to the heavy rainfall of 71mm.
“Normal rainfall is 40mm. The warning for a flood is issued for rainfall of 60mm.”
He said MPKJ had acted swiftly to manage and control the situation in affected areas.
“We were at the affected areas before the police and fire department,” he said.
Shariman said their first priority was to close the town to traffic.
“Traffic from Bangi and Cheras was redirected and the town area was closed off.”
He said the council started cleaning work at 9pm last Friday which ended at 3am the following day.
“We also held a spring cleaning effort at 11pm last Saturday which ended at 3am.”
Shariman said details of the council’s efforts and the situation over the weekend was compiled in a report and submitted to the Selangor government.
It was reported residents and shopkeepers at the town were caught unaware by the Friday flood. The rain had started about 3pm and lasted about three hours.
The heavy rainfall caused Sungai Jelok and Sungai Langat to flood its banks, inundating the sleepy town in 1.5 metres of muddy water.
Kajang Fire and Rescue Department received a distress call about 3.50pm and 14 officers arrived 10 minutes later at the scene.
The situation was deemed stable about 6pm.
Nine people, including three senior citizens, were rescued by the Fire and Rescue Department officers.
