THE government is building additional reservoirs to mitigate the risk of flash floods, especially in Kuala Lumpur.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof explained that additional water reservoirs are part of Malaysia’s flood mitigation plan which aims to decrease flash flood risks in identified areas.

“This plan is already there. It’s just that we plan according to our financial capabilities and we implement what we have as much as possible,” he told reporters after the Asia New Economy Summit 2024.

Fadillah, who is also the Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister also shared that most of the reservoirs will be constructed in Kuala Lumpur under the Kuala Lumpur City Hall’s (DBKL) supervision.

“There are already projects being carried out, but there is one project involving design and contractor problems and this affects our planning.

“We have to see how the recovery plan is to speed up any project stalled due to the contractor’s failure,” he added.

Kuala Lumpur experienced another flash flood on Oct 15 after the rain fell for more than three hours, resulting in some areas being consumed with more than 0.5m of water.

The floods were caused by overflow from major rivers and drainage issues in Kuala Lumpur.

DBKL recorded rainfall exceeding 100mm, which is above the average of 60mm. — TMR