KUALA LUMPUR: Flash floods were reported to have struck several areas of the federal capital this afternoon following heavy rains.
The Malaysian Highway Authority in a Facebook posting informed that the flash floods affected several roads, including the Besraya Expressway involving routes from the city centre to Salak Selatan, from Kuchai to Salak Jaya and from Kampung Malaysia to Kuchai.
In addition, flash floods on the Kesas highway also resulted in four lanes being closed at the Awan Besar toll plaza in the route heading towards the west and only one lane is passable at Km48.3 in the route heading eastward, towards the Sukom junction.
Flash floods also caused the closure of the Smart Tunnel involving the tunnel entrance from Taman Desa and Cheras towards the city centre as well as the tunnel exit from the city centre towards Cheras.
Berita Harian journalist Mahani Ishak reports that at least six areas in the federal capital were inundated following heavy rain since, 3 pm.
Kuala Lumpur City Hall Traffic Information in a Twitter posting said the six affected areas are the Tabung Haji tunnel, Chan Sow Lin tunnel, Jalan Pudu, Jalan Sri Permaisuri, Jalan Tun Razak dan Jalan Pahang.
Another BH journalist, Faris Fuad, reports that the National Security Council (NSC) in confirming flash floods in the city said affected areas are areas around Dang Wangi police station involving Jalan Sultan Ismail/Jalan Ampang, Leboh Ampang, Jalan Raja Laut dan Jalan Kia Peng/Jalan Raja Chulan.
The National Disaster Management Agency through its Facebook posting today said that rivers that exceeded the warning level were Sungai Batu in Sentul, Sungai Klang at the Sulaiman Bridge Lebuh Pasar, and Sungai Gombak at Jalan Parlimen, while Sungai Gombak at Jalan Tun Razak has exceeded the danger level.
The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) issued a thunderstorm warning at 1.35pm this afternoon, with heavy rain and strong winds expected in Selangor involving Kuala Selangor, Hulu Selangor, Klang, Gombak, Petaling, Kuala Langat, Hulu Langat and Sepang.
Also affected are the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, apart from Negri Sembilan (Jelebu, Seremban, Port Dickson, Kuala Pilah and Rembau) and Melaka (Alor Gajah) until 5pm today.