End of flooding problems in Taman Kampar

During the monsoon season every year, I often get calls from residence with problems regarding flooding within a specific area. I often hurry over to give immediate assistance, but it is important that we look into long term solutions that can rectify these problems once and for all. We need to strive for better city planning as there are consequences to constantly building new constructions without proper drainage systems. The consequences are real, they are a person's home and livelihood. Worst still, the people that are always affected are individuals that come from low-income communities. This means they often do not have the budget to be able to fix their homes. Not to mention, when your entire home is flooded for days, it affects you for an entire week. Residence can't go to work, open their businesses, or send their kids to school. We need the city council to work together with developers to ensure that proper retention systems are submitted with the construction proposal. I have always played my part in facilitating conversations and getting developers to solve these problems. In this case, we were able to get the developer to agree to build a retention pond that will improve the drainage system for residence of Taman Kampar. I am glad residence in Taman Kampar will no longer have to worry everytime a flashflood occurs.

Speaking with a resident of Taman Kinta at the flood site. 

Picture from the other side of the street. 

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Published on the Star Newspaper on November 14th, 2012. 

Seeing brighter days without high waters by Ivan Loh

"PEACEFUL days without flashfloods could become a reality for Taman Kampar residents.

Following talks between the developer of the housing project in Ipoh, the Ipoh City Council and Ipoh Timur MCA division chief Datuk Thong Fah Chong, it was agreed that a retention pond would be constructed to tackle the problem of flashfloods which has plagued residents for years.

The division’s deputy chief, San Chak Chun told The Star that following the Nov 2 meeting, the developer had agreed to construct a retention pond at an open field to take in additional discharge from the drainage system in the housing area.

“The pond will measure 5,903 sqm by 1m-deep.

“The developer has also agreed in principal to bear the cost of construction while the council will monitor the project,” he said.

According to San, the developer had failed to observe the regulation and guideline set by Manual Saliran Mesra Alam Malaysia (MASMA), which specifically states that there should be zero discharge into public drainage at peak hour in any development.

“Although the developer had constructed an internal retention system underground, it did not function properly.

“The problem is also compounded by the various developments, which have taken place nearby Taman Kampar,” he said.

Thong said the problem of flashfloods in Taman Kampar was getting more serious.

“The housing area was hit by a severe flashflood on Oct 25 with about 16 houses, which were never affected previously, also being inundated with flood waters.

“The residents are very concerned that other areas are also being affected,” Thong said, adding that developers should never forget their corporate social responsibility towards housebuyers.

“They must assist those who face problems as a result of their projects,” he said.

Thong added that the MCA would continue to monitor the situation at Taman Kampar and give its assistance in any way it could."