KUALA LUMPUR – Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has pinpointed 14 flash flood hotspots across the capital, which will be prioritised for targeted mitigation measures.
Datuk Bandar Kuala Lumpur Datuk Seri Fadlun Mak Ujud said the affected areas include Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, Lebuhraya Sultan Iskandar, Bulatan Datuk Onn, and Jalan Tun Sambanthan, Bernama reported.
“The number of flood-prone locations in the capital has been reduced from more than 30 previously to 14, thanks to ongoing mitigation projects and continuous improvements to the drainage system,” he said at a press conference at DBKL Tower today.
Also present were Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh and Director-General of the Federal Territories Department Datuk Muhammad Azmi Mohd Zain.
Fadlun noted that heavy rainfall on 6 May, registering 96.5 millimetres in one hour at the University of Malaya Rain Station, exceeded the Department of Irrigation and Drainage’s (JPS) warning threshold of around 60 millimetres over two to four hours, triggering flash floods in areas including Segambut Dalam and Pantai Dalam.
“As an example, water accumulation in Segambut Dalam occurred because the Toba River reached 43.14 mm, surpassing the danger level of 42.8 mm. In Pantai Dalam and the Bukit Jalil LRT station, flooding happened when river levels rose to 32.88 mm, exceeding the danger threshold of 32.66 mm, overwhelming the drainage system,” he explained.
Fadlun said DBKL has established the Kuala Lumpur Flash Flood Hotspot Task Force, which is deployed when rainfall exceeds 22 mm per hour to clear dry leaves and debris that block water inlets.
“During heavy rain, fallen leaves can block inlets, preventing water from entering the main drainage system,” he added.
A special road pit task force has also been formed to carry out temporary road closures in case of flood damage, before full repair works are undertaken.
DBKL has increased the frequency of silt removal in the Toba River from twice to six times a year to enhance water flow capacity. Similar measures are planned for the Kerayong River in cooperation with JPS, alongside ongoing cleaning, dredging, and maintenance of drainage channels.
“DBKL will also collaborate with utility companies to ensure pipes and other infrastructure crossing rivers and drains do not obstruct water flow,” Fadlun said.
Meanwhile, Hannah highlighted DBKL’s initiative to provide early weather warnings to city residents through broadcasts on four radio stations – ERA FM, Hitz FM, MY FM, and Raaga – three times daily at 9.30 am, 12 pm, and 4 pm.
“This initiative ensures short-term weather forecasts reach residents in multiple languages, including Malay, English, Mandarin, and Tamil, with one- to two-hour forecasts for specific areas such as Setapak or Wangsa Maju,” she said. – May 12, 2026