For the third time since 2007, the cafeteria at the Jalan Duta Court Complex in Kuala Lumpur has been flooded due to leaky pipes.

Patrons who arrived at the cafeteria today found the water level up to their ankles when the RM270 million court complex was opened at 8am.

It is understood the leak was caused by a burst water pipe near a grocery shop at the cafeteria, resulting in a section of the plaster ceiling to collapse.

Self-employed Osman Arifin, 38, said he was taken aback when he saw the cafeteria floor inundated with water upon arrival about 8.10am.

"I saw large gaps in the ceiling, from which broken pieces were scattered on the floor near a grocery shop within the cafeteria.

"As a result, I had my breakfast outside the court premises," Osman said.

At 11am, the courthouse management covered the large hole in the ceiling with plastic sheets to carry out repair works.

The grocery shop remained closed.

However, food outlets and a post office at the cafeteria resumed operations after floor drying works were completed.

In May 2007, the cafeteria was the scene of burst pipes and collapsed ceiling - in less than a month after beginning operations.

A similar incident recurred in June 2010.

- Bernama