GOMBAK – The East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project owner Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd (MRL) has taken several proactive flood mitigation measures on its depot construction site near Kg Batu 9 Gombak Utara, following a mud deluge which hit the area last month.
This comes after some residents complained about the construction site and said it was the reason for exacerbated rising waters in the flood-prone area.
A recent mud flood in the area on April 24 and 25 had taken the situation to a fever pitch.
Speaking to Scoop, an MRL spokesperson explained that prior to the start of construction, the company had obtained all necessary approvals to carry out work in the area, apart from taking all other measures to prevent flooding in and around its site.
To safeguard the environment, the spokesperson said the construction of the ECRL alignment has complied with the environmental impact assessment (EIA) and environmental management plan (EMP) approved by the Environment Department (DoE) – as well as the Erosion and Sediment Control Plan (ESCP) guidelines and conditions that were prescribed by the Irrigation and Drainage Department (DID).
The spokesperson said the ECRL works in Batu 10 Gombak have been carried out in accordance with the requirements under the ESCP, which include measures such as sediment ponds, temporary drainage, and silt fences.
EMP approval from DoE was obtained on August 30, 2022, while ESCP approval was obtained on November 2, 2022, from DID.
Despite these measures designed for regular and slightly above-average rainfall, the spokesperson noted that the late April incident experienced “unusual” and “excessive” rainfall levels three times higher than usual.
Data from DID recorded rainfall averaging 64mm on April 24 and 54mm on April 25 – compared to the remainder of the week, which averaged between 0mm and 12mm.
The spokesperson emphasised that the ECRL project’s emergency response team (ERT) had actively assisted affected residents, engaging in clean-up operations and deploying machinery for support.
“The ECRL project is not the only construction work in the area. There is another project involving a property developer nearby that could also have contributed to the flash floods that occurred recently,” the spokesperson said.
“The ECRL project’s ERT has already engaged and assisted the affected residents in the area by cleaning up their respective homes and surroundings recently.
“We have also mobilised machinery such as a backhoe and excavator to assist in the cleanup,” the spokesperson said.
“Having said that, MRL, as the project owner of ECRL, remains committed to ensuring the interests of the residents are protected and their welfare is well taken care of.
“We will regularly engage with the residents, as continuous improvements to overcome similar incidents are our utmost priority.”
ECRL project worsened flood situation, say residents
Earlier, residents of Kg Batu 9 Gombak Utara expressed frustration as their repeated complaints about recurrent mud floods in the village seemed to have gone unaddressed.
They attributed the worsening situation to the ongoing ECRL construction activities in the area, leading to urgent demands for solutions and swift implementation.
Khalina Normaiza Mohammed Khalili, 50, recounted the distress of witnessing her home inundated by floodwaters recently – a stark departure from the flood-free environment of her childhood in the area.
“Since I grew up here with my mother, we have never encountered floods as bad as now. The cause of the mud floods here is the forest clearance and the ECRL construction.
“Recently, when I was sitting in my living room, I saw flood water rising so high that it overflowed into my house,” she said.
Husain Abdul Ghani, 38, a seasoned safety officer, expressed frustration over the lack of action despite repeated complaints to authorities.
He highlighted alleged lapses in construction practices, emphasising the absence of measures to prevent soil erosion, a standard procedure in similar projects.
“I have filed complaints with Selayang City Council and DID, but there were no changes. They sent out notices and compounds, but the work still continued,” he claimed.
“I used to work in construction, and whenever we did a site clearing or forest clearance, we would cover the top of the hill to avoid soil erosion.
“They have not done that here, they just leave it exposed. So when it rains, the soil erodes, putting residents at risk of mud floods.”
The ECRL project, a collaboration between MRL and China Communications Construction Company Ltd (CCCC), aims to connect the east coast states of Kelantan, Terengganu, and Pahang before linking to the Klang Valley on the west coast.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke has assured of the project’s timely completion by December 2026, with operational readiness in January 2027.
While acknowledging the benefits of the ECRL project, Azhar Ariffin, 44, urged for immediate measures to mitigate flood risks, suggesting simple interventions like barriers or diversion channels to safeguard the community.
“I understand this is a big project and it is good for the people, but our issue is that they have dug the ground and left it like that. Because of this, we are exposed to mud floods.
“They could have put up a divider or a blockade to stop water flow. At least if they created a net or a wall, it would stop the mud from flowing here. But they didn’t, and we are left to deal with it,” he said.
Upgraded irrigation following late April floods
Meanwhile, a high-placed source said that contractors on the site had completed a new earth bund there, which is covered in geotextile fabric.
Also known as geotex, the specialised fabric is used underground in many applications, including draining water, separating different soils from each other, and reinforcing soil.
These applications include highways, railways, dams, and buildings.
The source said this was among other stop-gap solutions as the bund is not within its right of way and a neighbouring plot of land was owned by a developer of another project.
“The contractors will find the owner (of the other project) and hold talks with authorities and the village head soon,” the source said.
The source said that within the site, there will be three check dams to be constructed along the drainage to complement two existing silt traps, among other measures. – May 15, 2024