LETTER | The recurrent floods plaguing Shah Alam, especially Taman Sri Muda residential area, need a drastic solution, and piecemeal efforts like widening drains or installing pumps may be inadequate.

On April 11, about 700 homes were inundated with waist-high floodwater and many more areas faced shallow flooding. Over the years many flood mitigation methods had been tried but a permanent solution continues to elude this low-lying residential area.

The rising water levels of the nearby Klang river due to the huge Kuala Lumpur and riverine urban run-off from downpours worsens the problem. The residents have given a seven-day deadline to the Selangor government to resolve the problem of recurring floods once and for all, or face protests.

If nothing else works, then a drastic solution might be the answer. The low-lying area should be subjected to redevelopment very much espoused by the Urban Renewal Act (URA), contemplated by the federal government for urban and city areas.

One sympathises with the long-suffering residents who have had to put up with this ordeal for the last few decades. With climate change now a reality, the intensity of rains will be stronger, and this could become a frequent occurrence, interfering with the livelihood of the residents. One can imagine the anxiety and danger to residents if a downpour triggers a deluge during nighttime.

There is no other way to overcome the threat of persistent flooding except through urban renewal efforts, which could see the area raised to a higher level, coupled with large drains, retention ponds and better infrastructure.

This area in Shah Alam was developed in the 1970s and not much thought was given for floods then and the ensuing urban sprawl of the surrounding areas increased the run-off and caused floods. The area is ripe for re-development considering the age of the houses and other problems.

For this to happen, the area needs to be re-developed under the URA-like scheme and both the residents and the government need to cooperate; for the residents, it will mean new housing with better facilities and amenities and elimination of floods, and for the government, it will save needless and ineffective spending that does not settle the flooding woes.

The URA should focus more on the problems areas such as the places prone to floods, sink holes and landslides, river bank erosion and collapses due to the terrain of the land or poor infrastructure causing traffic congestion and other complaints.

The land needs to be raised much higher to prevent floods from damaging homes and also roads that are washed away which necessitate expensive repairs. Re-developing dilapidated urban properties can be a second priority.

Whether it is in Kuala Lumpur or Selangor or other states, urban renewal programmes under URA should focus on problem areas that affect residents and people the most.

This will win the cooperation of the residents, and the people might look at the URA positively. Hence, there will be less opposition to the new proposed legislation.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.