KUALA LUMPUR – Flash floods struck several districts in the Klang Valley today after heavy rainfall began this afternoon.
Areas reportedly affected include Sri Muda, Kg Kebun Bunga Batu Tiga and Section 13 in Shah Alam; Dengkil and Cyberjaya in Sepang; as well as Gombak and Hulu Selangor.
Local media has reported that concerns about sudden flooding in flood-prone areas have arisen due to heavy rain since 4pm, but the situation is reported to be under control.
Section 15 Fire and Rescue Department chief Ahmad Nazmi Halil told a local news outlet that monitoring has been ongoing in three flood-prone areas since 5pm. These areas are Sri Muda, Kg Kebun Bunga Batu Tiga and around Section 13. Monitoring will continue in these areas and other at-risk areas until safety is confirmed, he said.
A survey at 5.45pm found residential areas in the three mentioned flood-prone areas have not been affected by flooding, and traffic conditions are running smoothly, according to Sinar Harian.
A netizen who carries the handle @hadrirosely on X, formerly Twitter, shared a brief video of several cars being inundated in water somewhere in the Multimedia University in Cyberjaya.
MMU cyberjaya @Twt_Cyberjaya pic.twitter.com/P44OjhHy3E
— 🍟 (@hadrirosely) November 6, 2023
Earlier, it was reported that eight temporary relocation centres were still open in Selangor, with 569 victims from 150 families still accommodated as of 4pm.
The secretariat of the Selangor disaster management committee said the affected areas are in the districts of Gombak, Hulu Selangor, Hulu Langat and Sepang.
In Sepang, a family of seven was rescued after their home in Batu 31, Kg Sri Tanjung, was inundated with water at a depth of one metre due to heavy rain this evening.
The Selangor Fire and Rescue Department confirmed that the family did not sustain any injuries and had been moved to a safe place. The department deployed at least two boats from the Cyberjaya station and another team from the Dengkil station.
METMalaysia earlier announced that 13 states are expected to face thunderstorms, heavy rain, and strong winds until 9pm today.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi urged residents in flood-prone areas to take appropriate preventive measures and comply with authorities’ directives to avoid and reduce the impact of disasters on lives and property.
Zahid, who also chairs the central disaster management committee, said that heavy rainfall over the past few days has caused water levels to rise in low-lying areas and that major rivers are showing an upward trend.
As of 12 noon today, six districts in Perak, Selangor and Pahang have been affected by floods, with 881 people from 237 families recorded in 12 temporary evacuation centres.
Zahid noted that three rivers had water readings at dangerous levels as of 6am today, and METMalaysia issued a significant weather forecast for the period from November 6 to 8, predicting thunderstorms, heavy rain and strong winds in various areas.
“Based on the weather model analysis, thunderstorms along with heavy rain and strong winds are expected to occur in most inland and west coast areas of the Peninsula, northern Sarawak and western Sabah, especially in the late afternoon and evening throughout the forecast period,” Zahid said in a statement.
Zahid also advised residents in flood-prone areas to seek the latest information from reliable sources.
“I pray and hope that this incident does not bring significant damage, and I wish all the victims strength and patience to endure this trial,” he said. – November 6, 2023