[UPDATED] Klang Valley flash floods persist, areas inundated after just one hour

KUALA LUMPUR – After only an hour or so of heavy downpour, areas in the Klang Valley are experiencing flash floods, with netizens taking to social media to share videos and images of the chaos.  

In a video uploaded by Twitter user @RavinP_69, streets in Jalan Klang Lama can be seen to be already flooded with muddy waters as water levels continue to rise. 

Water level steadily rising at some areas of Old Klang Road, #KualaLumpur.#KL #Banjir #banjirKL #Flood pic.twitter.com/vJ2LiMT56x

— Ravin Palanisamy (@RavinP_69) March 8, 2022

A picture posted by user @hbk9109 depicted a similar situation in the same area, with water levels well past the tires of cars. 

The Bangsar LRT station is also starting to flood, according to a video posted by @itsazyyatiazam. 

Area Bangsar dah start banjir juga. Dekat dgn LRT Bangsar - Bank Rakyat. ? #banjirKL pic.twitter.com/jEniFoJYgl

— ??? (@itsazyyatiazam) March 8, 2022

Besides that, Hulu Langat has not been spared either as user @KalifPoi23 shared a video of what appears to be a hailstorm in the area. 

Hulu Langat baru lepas mengalami hujan batu pic.twitter.com/QjCHK1WtP5

— Amirul Kalif Syde (@KalifPoi23) March 8, 2022

Meanwhile, on Facebook, a video posted at 4.15pm showed extremely heavy downpour and strong winds.  

According to Astro Radio Traffic, flash floods in the right lane of Jalan Syed Putra have caused traffic congestion from KL Sentral heading to Mid Valley.

#kltu JALAN SYED PUTRA: Banjir kilat di lorong kanan telah menjadi punca kesesakan dari KL Sentral menuju ke Mid Valley.

— Astro Radio Traffic (@astrotraffic) March 8, 2022

An update by the National Disaster Management Agency on its Twitter account stated that as of 4.17pm, roads such as Jalan Cheras towards the Billion roundabout, Jalan Pudu and the Hishamuddin roundabout are seeing rising waters. 

The floodwaters at Jalan Cheras are at knee-level, while Jalan Pudu and the Hishamuddin roundabout are facing waters at calf-level and ankle-height, respectively. 

Tarikh : 8/3/2022, 1617hrs

*Lokasi Jalan yang di naiki air (Banjir)*

Senarai jalan2 yang di naiki air adalah seperti berikut:

1. Jalan Cheras menghala ke Bulatan Billion
Landmark/KM: Eco Cheras Mall
Paras air: Paras lutut
Aliran Trafik: Tidak boleh dilalui
Kerosakan: Tiada pic.twitter.com/jNqZSjGiP1

— NADMA Malaysia (@mynadma) March 8, 2022

The Smart Tunnel, which was closed yesterday to facilitate flood mitigation, was reopened at 7.11am today. 

However, Mode Two has been activated since 2.58pm today, with water from Sg Klang and Sg Ampang being channelled to the Berembang reservoir. 

Air Sg. Klang/Sg. Ampang mulai dilencongkan ke Kolam Takungan Berembang.

Mode 2 telah diaktifkan mulai jam 1458hrs.

Jumlah kadar air Sg.Klang-Sg.Ampang telah mencapai 70m3/s#SMARTTunnel #SMARTshares #1stdualpurposetunnelintheworld
Info:SMART JPS pic.twitter.com/dwWUxTjjcY

— Smart Tunnel (@Smarttunnel) March 8, 2022

Mode Two dictates that flood water flows through the lower drain of the tunnel, while traffic is still allowed to pass through the tunnel. 

Meanwhile, Selangor Fire and Rescue Department director Norazam Khamis told The Vibes that two rescue boats from Sg Pinang and Sg Andalas have been mobilised to aid residents in Batu 14 Hulu Langat as water levels continue to rise. 

The Malaysian Meteorological Department had at 4.15pm issued a thunderstorm warning for areas in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Negri Sembilan, Melaka and Johor. 

#ributpetirmetmalaysia#MenangBersama#LindungDiriLindungSemua#metmalaysia pic.twitter.com/pkWUXaQ4FB

— Jabatan Meteorologi Malaysia (@metmalaysia) March 8, 2022

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

Officers from the Kuala Lumpur City Hall enforcement department have also been stationed at main roads to ease the flow of traffic. – The Vibes, March 8, 2022 

Anggota daripada Jabatan Penguatkuasaan telah memasuki di jalan-jalan utama bgi melancarkan aliran trafik#KeluargaMalaysia#KLBandarUntukSemua#KL50 pic.twitter.com/MLfvCx9zg4

— Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (@DBKL2u) March 8, 2022