KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 9 — Developers of construction projects in the federal capital have been warned not to cause flash floods each time it rains.

Executive director of Socio-Economic Development at Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), Datuk Normah Malik said among the major causes of flash floods in the city were construction sites which did not have a good flood-mitigation system, resulting in clogged drains.

“When there is heavy rain, the drains become clogged with sediments from the construction sites, causing the rain water to overflow, so the surrounding areas get flash floods.

“We can compound them up to RM50,000 if the project developers are found guilty of causing the clogged drains,” she told a news conference on DBKL’s preparations in facing floods, here, today.

She said if the developers persisted, DBKL could issue a stop-work order in in accordance with the existing by-laws.

Normah said during the monsoon season, DBKL would be monitoring the construction sites frequently to ensure they were in good condition.

She also urged the public to also ensure that the drains around their houses were in good condition as the flood problem would not be resolved if there were people who did not change their attitude, throwing rubbish into the drains.

On the possibility of floods in the city, she said DBKL had made preparations to activate its operations room in Jalan Tun Razak round the clock from today, to monitor and provide information on floods.

Normah said 45 DBKL officers and staff were in a state of preparedness with complete logistics to undertake evacuation and rescue operations if necessary.

“Among the logistics are 10 boats, a jet ski, two tow cranes, 20 motorcycles and a water tanker,” she said, adding that DBKL together with the Kuala Lumpur Education Department had identified 50 flood relief centres.

The public can provide information on floods through the hotline 03-40244424 or 03-40220055, or through Whatsapp and SMS at 019-2120031. — Bernama