Last Sunday's flash floods in the heart of Kuala Lumpur created havoc for many people - motorists, locals and tourists alike. It also caused millions in damages.

Malaysiakini visited one of the worst affected areas yesterday - the Wilayah Complex in Jalan Dang Wangi - to review the damages and see how those affected are coping.

When the heavy downpour came last Sunday, the water rose to six feet (within 10 minutes) in the lower ground floor of the complex. It only subsided two days later on Tuesday.

To the 30 shop owners and tenants whose premises were badly affected, it has been a nightmare and their future is now uncertain. Losing hundreds of thousands in damages caused by the floods, they are hoping for some form of compensation to restart their businesses.

Up till yesterday, five days after the flood, shopkeepers and helpers could still be seen cleaning up their premises. The floors were still muddy as they went about discarding damaged goods which included computers in garbage bags.

Ah Leong, owner of a Snooker center, said the flood caused about RM10,000 in damages to his store. He hoped to be able to get some form of compensation.

"We (shop owners) went to Kuala Lumpur City Council (DBKL) and submitted a memorandum to request for compensation. We, traders in the lower ground of Wilayah Complex, were worst affected," he told malaysiakini.

Leong said since no one (either from DBKL or the complex management) came to do the cleaning-up, his workers had to do it.

He also said that power and water supply have not been re-connected to the affected shops since Sunday.

Wall collapsed

Leong said a brick wall collapsed during the flash floods and this caused the rapid flow of water to the lower ground.

K Rajendran, owner of Chakravartty Club, said he lost over RM600, 000 in damages.

"I have already made a police report and had gone to DBKL with other shop owners to request for compensation," he said.

He also claimed that DBKL staff had told them that "Datuk Bandar is busy lately" and that they were to do the cleaning-up themselves with DBKL looking into the matter later.

Raja Mohamed, who owns five stationery shops in the complex, probably suffered the most in damages - at least RM350,000. He claimed that all the stationery appliances were completely destroyed.

M Champa, who owns an apparel shop on the first floor, said she felt sorry for the traders on the lower ground who suffered huge losses.

"The management has not given any positive response and I am seriously looking around to shift from this place," she said.

"DBKL said this is a private property but I think the flash floods took place because of their poor planning," she argued.

Champa said that many reporters came to the area (outside) but no one came inside to have a look. Malaysiakini reporters were the first media people to check inside the affected premises.

Asked her why she opened her shop for business even when there was no electricity supply, she replied that she was waiting for customers to settle some outstanding accounts with her.