"...these were only short-term measures as the problem faced by the people was due to the over-development around the Sungai Damansara catchment area"

The Star
9th March 2006

More flood warning sirens to be set up
By SA’ODAH ELIAS

KUALA LUMPUR: The Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) is looking into the possibility of using SMS to alert residents in Shah Alam's low-lying areas of possible flooding.

The department will also set up more warning sirens in flood-prone areas such as Taman TTDI Jaya, Kampung Kebun Bunga and Batu Tiga, which were badly hit during the Feb 26 floods, said its director-general Datuk Keizrul Abdullah.

The people have also been told to brace themselves for another major flood if the Sungai Damansara catchment area were to experience heavy rainfall similar to that two weeks ago.

Comment by KD Wetland:

So Shah Alam friends, be prepared for another round of "major flood" ... ??

Keizrul said the SMS system was already available for department officers to receive automatic updates on their mobile phones once rainfall exceeded a certain level.

“We are looking into how we can extend a similar service to people in the affected areas so that they can take measures to protect their properties,” he added.

He said the delay in carrying out flood mitigation programmes – such as dredging Sungai Damansara, fortifying its bunds and increasing the height of its banks – was due to the process of appointing contractors through open tender, which would take around two months even on a fast-track basis.

“We will also strengthen the walls of the Kota Damansara retention pond which collapsed on Feb 26 and increase its storage capacity,” he said.

Comment by KD Wetland:

If DID knew that there is a NEED to increase this retention pond's storage capacity as part of the critical flood mitigation programmes, why DID Selangor approved the 10.2 acres or about 25% reclaimation of this retention pond to enable the construction of 6 blocks of 25 story apartment on it?

The approval to reduce the size of the retention pond is in DIRECT conflict with the need to increase its storage capacity. Which direction are we taking?

Kota Damansara covers a total development area of more than 2,000 acres. According to "Manual Saliran Mesra Alam", total water retention pond for the area in question should be 3 to 5% of the total development area.

Hence, there should be 60 to 100 acres water retention pond in Kota Damansara.

Can DID or PKNS give residents of Kota Damansara and *ALL* affected recent flood victims in Shah Alam, an itemised breakdown of each retention pond and its respective water body in Kota Damansara?

However, he pointed out that these were only short-term measures as the problem faced by the people was due to the over-development around the Sungai Damansara catchment area.

The river could not even be widened as most of its reserve had been developed.

“The massive development upstream of Sungai Damansara, Sungai Pencala and Sungai Air Kuning – particularly the Bukit Cerakah and Kota Damansara projects – is causing heavy siltation in the river,” he said.

“Once you have an area heavily developed, the water runoff not only more than double in volume during heavy rain but also in speed.

“The Sungai Damansara catchment area is almost fully developed, except for two green lungs at Taman Pertanian Bukit Cerakah and Taman Botani near Sungai Buloh.

Comment by KD Wetland:

We fully concur with DID Director-General Datuk Keizrul Abdullah - over-development is the main cause.

It doesn't take a genious to figure out that over-development is a controllable factor. It's the deliberate actions and decisions of Selangor state government that leads to over-development, hence todays's massive floods problems.

The MB Selangor should take FULL responsibility and be accountable for his actions and decisions.

Here's a classic example...

Kota Damansara water retention pond and its surrounding strips of land is zoned for water retention and recreational purposes, known as Zone G under The Kota Damansara Master Plan. Proof? Click here

However, inspite of the STRONG protest by neighbouring residents, the Selangor state government has approved to reclaim 10.2 acres or about 25% of this retention pond to enable 6 blocks of 25 story apartments to be built on land zoned for water retention and recreational purposes.

Why the change in land use? Is the change in land use from water retention and recreational to residential justified?

Isn't this another classic example of "Deliberate Over-Development" planning?

Who is to be blamed here?

The irony is...

The Star dated 9th March 2006 has reported that DID Director-General Datul Keizrul Abdullah informed that " DID will increase storage capacity of this retention pond"

Reduce the retention pond by 25% OR increase its storage capacity?

Hey, which direction are we heading?

Final analysis: Who is to be blamed?

“Because of that, we have already drawn up a master plan for the whole Sungai Damansara basin to protect the low-lying areas. The projects will only take place in the Ninth Malaysia Plan,” he added.

Last week, Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo criticised the department for its delay in implementing flood mitigation projects along Sungai Damansara.

Comment by KD Wetland:

Huh... another classic example of looking for a weak "scape goat"? You be the judge... LOL

Selangor government boleh!
Macam-macam boleh!
Apa pun boleh!
Itu pun boleh!
Ini pun boleh...
Semua pun boleh?? :- (