SUBANG JAYA, Nov 18 — The rapid development in Puchong and widespread littering are among the contributors to the floods in the bustling township on Tuesday.

Subang Jaya Municipal Council president Datuk Nor Hisham Ahmad Dahlan said the flash floods that left motorists trapped on the Damansara-Puchong Highway and vehicles submerged in water at the IOI Mall car park were also due to heavy rainfall.

"Tuesday saw the highest rainfall recorded in the area at 81mm. The previous highest rainfall was 70mm recorded June last year,” Nor Hisham said.

"We cannot rule out excessive development in Puchong as the cause of the floods but it is not the sole reason.

"There was the heavy rainfall. Also, there is this widespread habit of littering which causes the drains to clog.

"It is important for those living and trading here to not litter.”

Nor Hisham was met yesterday after holding discussions with various parties including the management of IOI Mall, 1Puchong Business Park’s developer Teratai Seleksi Sdn Bhd, Prasarana Malaysia Bhd, the state Drainage and Irrigation Department, Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo and Kinrara assemblyman Ng Sze Han.

This was followed by an on-site inspection at 11am.

Representatives from  various companies and the local council joined Nor Hisham as they walked from the Puchong LRT station to the old tin mine lake near IOI Mall. They identified two primary locations that could have been the sources of the rising waters.

"One is a culvert next to 1Puchong Business Park while the other is the storm drain in front of IOI Mall. We have ordered the contractors and Teratai Seleksi to remove the culvert’s cover so that we can remove any dirt or debris,” he said.

"We are also cleaning up the storm drain in front of IOI Mall, stretching several kilometres from the LRT station to the lake. We are also looking at the nearby drains leading to the main drain to see if they are also blocked.”

Prasaran would upgrade the culvert in front of its LRT station and IOI Mall, subject to the approval by the concessionaires of the Damansara-Puchong Highway. If all goes well, works would begin March next year.

The state Drainage and Irrigation Department would clean up and widen the nearby Sungai Klang.

Contractors had started cleaning the drains yesterday and were expected to complete their task today.

"I admit these are only short-term solutions. We require all parties to come together and formulate a proper plan rather than point fingers at one another to find a long-term solution to this woe,” he said.