Flash floods cause traffic jams in KL
Yesterday marked the start of Ramadan, and many of us were excited to buka puasa at Ramadan bazaars since they are now allowed to operate after they were halted in 2020. Putting a damper on its first day, however, were flash floods reported in KL, that turned streets into swimming pools.
Photos that have been circulating online are testament to just how bad the rain was, with massive traffic jams hindering KL-ites who were just getting off work and others getting to buka puasa. Viral videos also show how the downpour caused glass windows to shatter and Ramadan bazaar food stalls in the city to topple over.
Traffic jams caused by heavy downpour in KL
On 13th April, Bernama reported that heavy bouts of rainfall were causing flash foods in parts of KL, including Ampang and Cheras.
As poor weather and subsequent flash floods call for road users to drive slow and be extra cautious of their surroundings, massive traffic jams also emerged on major routes such as Jalan Kuching and Jalan Raja Chulan, and other parts of the city too.
Image credit: @TheAfiqAziz
The heavy downpour reportedly started at around 4.30PM, with traffic jams caused by it not subsiding even hours later, when the rain had eased up. Up till 9PM yesterday, there were still reports of traffic jams.
Fortunately, authorities did not receive any emergency calls due to the flash floods, as reported in another article by Bernama.
Videos shared by netizens show the flood reaching up to the knees of a man, and covering parked motorcycles.
Image adapted from: @nsssrhm and @xnis12
Heavy rain and strong wind shatter windows and topple food stalls
Netizens have also been sharing videos of the flash flood situation yesterday in KL on their social media pages.
Twitter user @xnis12 shared a video of individuals having to trudge through the flood waters that reached up to their knees.
Video credit: @xnis12
One video, in particular, that is being widely shared online happened at Bangunan Akademi Etiqa – just a 5-minute walk from Masjid Jamek.
Several individuals can be seen hurrying into the building to seek refuge from the rainstorm, only for a window to shatter, presumably because of the rain and wind.
Video credit: Info Roadblock JPJ/POLIS
Stalls at a Ramadan bazaar in Wangsa Maju also took an unfortunate hit, with another viral video showing how the heavy downpour and winds caused damage to a food stall by toppling its makeshit roof over.
Image adapted from: Info Roadblock JPJ/POLIS
Another netizen on Twitter also shared how water from the flood managed to seep into an MRT train’s floor.
Image credit: @zickmoderato
Heavy downpour causes flash floods in KL
We see heavy rain in Malaysia every now and then, but not so much flash floods that leave hours-long traffic jams and even shattering glass windows. As yesterday marked the start of a religious month for the Muslim community in Malaysia, we hope that the weather fares better today for those observing Ramadan and the food vendors at bazaars, as well as individuals going about their daily lives.
Read more here:
- Kelisa driver drives through flood like a boss while passers-by applaud
- CMCO extended in 6 states, with SOPs for Ramadan bazaars
- Man orders RM50K “banknote bouquet” to show appreciation for wife
Cover image adapted from: @astrotraffic and Info Roadblock JPJ/POLIS