[UPDATED] Flash floods strike Klang Valley again

KUALA LUMPUR – As the downpour continues, netizens in Klang Valley are sharing videos and images of flash floods in the area.

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In Klang Valley, it seems that another occasion of flash floods have occurred after bouts of heavy rain in the afternoon. pic.twitter.com/MbEKk7W7Te

— TheVibes.com (@thevibesnews) March 7, 2022

In a video uploaded by Twitter user @mienazetty, road users along the New Pantai Expressway (NPE) and Sg Besi can be seen climbing out of the roofs of their cars as their vehicles lay inundated. 

Elakkan masuk Kuchai Lama terutama dari NPE/ Sg Besi. pic.twitter.com/utqWocHwK2

— ?????????? ???? ???????? (@mienazetty) March 7, 2022

Similarly, user @chairman_GLC posted a photo of traffic in Jalan Raja Chulan with chest-high water levels well past the tires of cars. 

Jalan Raja Chulan dah banjir. Betul ke ni geng? pic.twitter.com/6OuHvgYXuc

— Abah (@chairman_GLC) March 7, 2022

According to Astro Radio Traffic (@astrotraffic), motorists are advised to ride with caution. 

Flash floods have been reported in several parts of the Klang Valley following heavy rain this afternoon.

Motorists are advised to be careful.

Follow our traffic reports at @astrotraffic for the latest updates.

Images via social media pic.twitter.com/St1PpvGfIh

— Astro Radio News (@AstroRadioNews) March 7, 2022

Another Twitter user by the name of @IamLadyHana found her car submerged near Wisma UOA 2 in Jalan Pinang, minutes after her colleagues on lower floors warned her of the flood. 

“I just went down because the people in the office were yelling that the levels under our office have been flooded. I went down and I could only see the roof of my car,” she said. 

I baru turun sebab budak opis semua jerit Kata bawah opis banjir. I turun, kereta I dah nampak bumbung je. ???

I parking kat tepi opis I wisma UOA 2 ? pic.twitter.com/3SIsQfZZZW

— ?? Hana samsudin (@IamLadyHana) March 7, 2022

The Smart Tunnel has since been closed to facilitate flood mitigation while the Malaysian Meteorological Department at 4.10pm issued a thunderstorm warning for areas in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Negri Sembilan, Melaka and Johor. 

Sabah, Kedah, Penang, Perak and Pahang were also warned of strong winds, heavy rain and lightning. 

Kuala Lumpur City Hall’s Integrated Transport Information System reported that as of 3.50pm, the Tabung Haji and Chan Sow Lin tunnels, as well as areas in Jalan Pudu, Jalan Sri Permaisuri, Jalan Tun Razak and Jalan Pahang, are experiencing flash floods.  

In a Facebook post, the Malaysian Highway Board said that several routes were affected by the flash floods, such as the Besraya Expressway from the city centre to Salak Selatan, from Kuchai to Salak Jaya, and from Kampung Malaysia to Kuchai.

Four lanes on the Kesas Highway at the Awan Besar West Toll Plaza saw high water levels, with only a single lane accessible, at KM48.3 eastbound towards the Sukom junction, it added.

The Smart Tunnel has also been temporarily closed as a result of the flash floods, from the entrance from Taman Desa and Cheras towards the city centre, and the exit from the city centre towards Cheras.

According to the Royal Malaysia Police, high water levels have been detected on several roads as at 5pm, including:

- From the Kg Pandan roundabout heading to Jalan Sultan Ismail, where traffic is moving slowly;

- Under the Jalan Tun Razak tunnel, where traffic is also moving slowly;

- Under the Cheras roundabout tunnel, heading towards UKM Hospital, with both directions inundated;

- Jalan Chan Sow Lin, where vehicles are unable to make entry;

- Jalan Maharajalela, where the tunnel is temporarily closed and traffic is diverted to Jalan Hang Tuah;

- Jalan Kia Peng, Jalan Raja Chulan, and Jalan Raja Laut, behind the Mara building;

- The road near Masjid Al-Syakirin at KLCC;

- Jalan Dang Wangi;

- Jalan Genting Klang, where traffic is diverted to the Pahang roundabout; and 

- Jalan Tun Razak, in front of Shell petrol station before the National Heart Institute.

Meanwhile, Selangor Fire and Rescue Department director Norazam Khamis told The Vibes that reports have been received from localities in Kg Melayu, Sg Buloh and Batu Arang. 

He added that despite 50 houses having been affected by the flash floods, no relocations have been made so far. – The Vibes, March 7, 2022