5 Reasons Why Flash Floods Keep Happening In Kuala Lumpur & How To Solve The Problem

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The country's seeming inability to curb this recurring problem poses serious risks to its residents, businesses, and infrastructure.

So, what exactly causes these flash floods, and more importantly, how can we address them?

In recent decades, the city's landscape has transformed into a concrete jungle. This development has significantly reduced the amount of natural terrain available to absorb rainwater.

As buildings, roads, and other impermeable surfaces dominate the skyline, water that would have soaked into the ground now runs off rapidly, overwhelming drainage systems.

During flash floods in 2022, the Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) blamed KL's drainage system, as reported by FMT. 

According to DID, the system is unable to hold excess water and deal with the backflow problem of heavy rainfall, thus resulting in flash floods.

While there have been improvements over the years, certain parts of the city still rely on old drainage systems that simply cannot cope with the high volume of water during heavy downpours, especially during the monsoon season.

KL is crisscrossed by several rivers, most notably the Klang River, which plays a major role in the city's flood management.

However, developments that have taken place too close to riverbanks have narrowed the natural flow of waterways, restricted the water flow, and reduced the rivers' abilities to accommodate excess water. This leads to water backing up and spilling over to surrounding areas.

Rubbish discarded in the streets often ends up in the drainage system, clogging up sewers.

Plastic bottles, food wrappers, and other waste block water flow, reducing the capacity of drains to handle rainwater. This leads to backups during heavy downpours, increasing the risk of flash floods.

According to METMalaysia, Northern Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah are expected to experience above-average rainfall in the coming months during the Northeast Monsoon season, which starts early next month. 

Green Infrastructure: Incorporating more green spaces such as parks, green roofs, and permeable pavements can help absorb rainwater before it overwhelms the drainage system. Kuala Lumpur should aim to adopt more nature-based solutions to allow rainwater to be absorbed into the soil rather than running off into drains.

Upgrading Drainage Systems: The city's drainage infrastructure needs significant upgrading, particularly in older parts of Kuala Lumpur. Implementing high-capacity drainage systems, expanding retention ponds, and installing better flood barriers in flood-prone areas can help reduce the impact of sudden downpours.

Integrated River Basin Management: Kuala Lumpur must take a holistic approach to managing its rivers. This includes preventing encroachment on floodplains, restoring riverbanks, and creating buffer zones along rivers to allow water to flow freely. Expanding river channels and improving the capacity of retention basins would also help handle increased water flow during storms.

Improved Urban Planning: As the city continues to develop, there must be stricter regulations and better enforcement of zoning laws to prevent building in flood-prone areas. Urban planners should prioritise long-term sustainability and flood prevention in the design of new developments.

Public Awareness and Community Action: Residents can also play a role by keeping drains clear of debris and ensuring proper waste disposal. Public education campaigns can help raise awareness about flood risks and encourage community involvement in flood prevention efforts.