Amirudin: Selangor steps up long-term and immediate measures to tackle floods

KUALA LUMPUR: The Selangor government has reaffirmed its commitment to tackling floods through long-term mitigation projects and immediate measures, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said.

He said the state was pursuing both long-term flood mitigation projects and immediate measures, but it would be unrealistic to expect floods to disappear overnight, particularly amid increasingly extreme weather conditions.

Amirudin said the recent floods were caused by unusually heavy rainfall that exceeded normal levels, adding that the state would provide immediate assistance to those affected.

Heavy rain yesterday afternoon triggered flooding in several areas, including Puncak Alam, around Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM), Alam Suria, Saujana Utama and Sungai Buloh.

As of 11.30pm, nine temporary relief centres (PPS) had been opened in Shah Alam, Klang and Kuala Selangor, housing 1,120 evacuees from 284 families.

He said a special task force involving the state and federal governments, as well as local authorities, had been established in 2024 to improve coordination and avoid a silo approach to flood management.

The state is currently implementing 105 long-term flood mitigation projects worth RM4.28 billion, with completion scheduled in stages.

It is also carrying out 255 immediate mitigation projects worth nearly RM70 million at flash flood hotspots. About 70 per cent have been completed, with the remainder targeted for completion by year-end.

Amirudin said Selangor and Kuala Lumpur were also working on a five-pronged plan, which included assessing the capacity of the Batu and Klang Gates dams and identifying potential sites for new upstream retention ponds.