[UPDATED] Bukit Tinggi, Janda Baik struck by floods

KUALA LUMPUR – Severe flooding and mudflows struck the Bukit Tinggi and Janda Baik area this evening, Bentong MP Young Syefura Othman said.

In a tweet just before 7pm, she posted videos of the situation which showed swiftly-flowing brown waters going past cars parked by a road to wait out the flood.

Bukit Tinggi sekarang. ? pic.twitter.com/ReF07Zg6DY

— Rara ?? (@youngsyefura) February 12, 2023

Another video she posted showed mud flowing downhill and across a road and then down the slope below the hill.

In another tweet to explain the videos, Young Syefura said: “This is above the Genting Sempah area heading downwards to Janda Baik/Bukit Tinggi.”

She also tweeted that the flood and mudslide had caused a section of the old federal road between Bentong and KL after the exit to Janda Baik, to be cut off to all vehicles.

Several Twitter users who reacted to her tweets asked if the floods and mudslides were caused by the development of condominiums in the surrounding hilly area.

“Pretty sure it’s due to development with disregard to environmental impact,” said one user named Abdul Rahman.

“Uncontrolled development on hillslopes… before this there weren’t any,” said another named Zain Abrams.

Another Twitter user remarked how it had rained for two to three hours this afternoon.

In a statement later tonight, Young Syefura urged the relevant agencies under the state and federal governments to investigate whether land clearing for development had contributed to the floods.

“This is the second flooding incident in less than a year. This matter must be given attention with immediate action taken.”

Young Syefura added that the section of old KL-Bentong road affected today had just been repaired following damage caused by flash floods on May 11 last year, which had also damaged several homes and shops in the area.

She added that she and Ketari assemblyman Thomas Su would be visiting victims of today’s floods to collect information on the help they needed.

The Meteorological Department, meanwhile, issued a storm and heavy rain warning at 8.35pm for Raub, Jerantut, Bentong, Temerloh, Maran, Bera and Rompin in Pahang, until 11pm tonight.

The same storm warning until 11pm was also issued for Sabak Bernam, Kuala Selangor, Hulu Selangor, Klang, Gombak and Petaling in Selangor; Tangkak, Segamat and Muar in Johor; and Serian, Samarahan, Sri Aman, Betong, Sarikei, Sibu, Mukah and Kapit in Sarawak. – The Vibes, February 12, 2023