SHAH ALAM, Nov 9 — Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari sought to belay public anxiety about yesterday’s flash floods brought on by the latest spell of heavy rains this season as the annual north easterly monsoons lash Malaysia’s most developed state.
He gave an assurance that the water pumps at Sri Muda, the neighbourhood that had been engulfed by floods during the last monsoon season, are working well.
He explained that yesterday’s flash flood was due to the closure of a watergate there to prevent an overflow of water to the land that could make things worse.
“We seemed more ready yesterday. We also opened a frontline post in Sri Muda,” he told a press conference here.
Amirudin said he has been in touch with the federal government, specifically Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad who is the caretaker minister in charge of the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma).
The Pakatan Harapan leader said Dr Abdul Latiff had checked up on flood preparations in Selangor and had been told the state authorities are fully braced.
“Dr Latiff has also being given a briefing on the matter, however the preparation is all by the state,” Amirudin said.
Shah Alam police issued a flood alert and advised Taman Sri Muda residents to park their vehicles on higher ground following torrential rains that saw several low-lying areas inundated.
Taman Sri Muda was one of the badly affected areas in last December’s floods, with several casualties recorded.
In a separate statement, Selangor Fire and Rescue Department director Norazam Khamis said there was no flood risk reported in Taman Sri Muda, Seksyen 25; Kota Kemuning; Seksyen 17 to Seksyen 24 and Seksyen 32, Bukit Naga.
However, Norazam confirmed that several of the areas were knee-deep in water due to clogged drainage.
“Rescue personnel have advised residents within said areas to take precautionary steps and to contact our department if the situation worsened,” he said.
