The Smart Tunnel has once again saved several areas of attraction in Kuala Lumpur city centre from flooding following heavy rainfall.

Director of the Smart control centre (Federal Territory Drainage and Irrigation Department) Nor Hisham Mohd Ghazali said a downpour from noon until 5.30pm caused Sungai Klang to record the highest reading of 29.1 metres at 4.27pm at the Jalan Tun Perak bridge.

“As reference, the level on the banks of Sungai Klang was 30.24 metres if exceeded, areas like LRT Masjid Jamek, Jalan Masjid India, the old courthouse complex, Dataran Merdeka, Jalan Dang Wangi, Jalan Sultan Ismail and Lebuh Ampang will be flooded due to overflowing of Sungai Klang,” he said in a statement last night.

Heavy rain in the Smart catchment area caused water level at the confluence of Sungai Klang/Sungai Ampang to rise, thus activating the Smart flood control operations.

The Motorway Traffic Control Centre (MCC) closed traffic lanes by vacating the two-level traffic tunnel starting at 2.50pm for flood operations.

Nor Hisham said the Smart tunnel is expected to reopen on Saturday after the completion of clean-up work.

Several rainfall stations in Klang Valley recorded high readings especially in the Ampang catchment area, upstream of Sungai Klang, Sungai Bunus and Sungai Gombak.

- Bernama