Taman Sri Muda Residents Should Opt For Re Development To Overcome Perennial Floods

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THE recurrent floods plaguing Shah Alam especially Taman Sri Muda residential area needs a drastic solution and piecemeal efforts like widening drains or installing pumps may be inadequate.
This is after about 700 homes in the vicinity were inundated with waist-high floodwater and many more areas faced shallow flooding just last week on April 11.
Over the years many flood mitigation methods had been tried but a permanent solution continues to elude this low-lying residential area. The rising water levels of the nearby Klang river due to the huge Kuala Lumpur and riverine urban run-off from heavy downpours worsens the problem.
The residents have given a seven-day deadline to the Selangor government to resolve the problem of recurring floods once and for all, or face protests.
If nothing else works then a drastic solution might be the answer. The low-lying area should be subjected to re-development very much espoused by the Urban Renewal Act (URA) contemplated by the federal government for urban and city areas.
One sympathises with the long-suffering residents who have to put up with this ordeal for the last few decades. With climate change now a reality the intensity of rains will be much stronger and this could become a frequent occurrence interfering with the livelihood of the residents.
One can imagine the anxiety and danger to residents if a heavy downpour triggers a deluge during night time.
There is no other way to overcome the threat of persistent flooding except through urban renewal efforts which could see the area raised to a higher level coupled with large drains, retention ponds and better infrastructure.
(Image: The Star)This area in Shah Alam was developed in the 1970s and not much thought was given for floods then and the ensuing urban sprawl of the surrounding areas increased the run-off and caused floods.
The area is ripe for re-development considering the age of the houses and other problems. For this to happen the area needs to be re-developed under the URA-like scheme and both the residents and the government need to cooperate.
For the residents this will mean new housing with better facilities and amenities and elimination of floods and for the government it will save needless and ineffective spending that does not settle the flooding woes.
Both the residents of Sri Muda and the government should go for a win- win situation. Phase by phase the area needs to be re-developed with the cooperation of the residents.
Once re-developed the value of their properties will go up and there will be numerous benefits for the mainly working class residents.
Presently, house prices have plummeted low not to mention residents having to spend tens of thousands of ringgit to repair and renovate their homes after the floods have wreaked damage, not to mention other risks.
Recently, it was reported that two people in the vicinity had died due to electrocution, an ever-present danger when floods occur.
The URA should focus more on the problems areas such as the places prone to floods, sink holes and landslides due to the terrain of the land. The land needs to be raised much higher to prevent floods from damaging homes and also roads that are washed away which necessitate expensive repairs.
Re-developing dilapidated and run-down urban properties can be a second priority. Whether it is in Kuala Lumpur or Selangor or other states urban renewal programmes under URA should focus mainly on problem areas first that affect residents and people the most.
This will win the cooperation of the residents and the people will look at the URA positively. 
V. Thomas is a Focus Malaysia viewer.

The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of  MMKtT.
- Focus Malaysia.

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