A malfunction at one of the three underground water channels along the Damansara-Puchong Highway (LDP) has been identified as the cause of the flash floods around IOI Mall, Puchong near here yesterday evening.

Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) president Datuk Asmawi Kasbi said the failure of one of the channels to function properly caused it to be unable to accommodate the rising quantity of water following a heavy downpour at 12.45pm yesterday.

"According to a Meteorological Department report, 68mm of rain was recorded, resulting in a rapid rise in the water level when the water channel malfunctioned," he told reporters in Kuala Lumpur today.

He also said another contributing factor was the low-lying position of IOI Mall compared to Bandar Puteri Puchong located on the opposite side.

Asmawi said MPSJ had requested Malaysian Resources Corporation Bhd (MRCB), the contractor of the Light Rail Transit track in the area, to enlarge the existing drain to prevent the incident from recurring.

"The existing drain will be completed in one and a half months time," he said.

Meanwhile, Litrak communications manager, Shah Rizal Mohamed Fawzi said Litrak, Prasarana Negara Berhad (Prasarana) and LDP would conduct a detailed study on the cause of the incident.

"We will obtain the findings of the study in two weeks," he said. In the incident at about 6pm, about 140 vehicles were reported trapped in a car park near IOI Mall and traffic was brought to a standstill at several main roads in the area following the flash floods.

- Bernama