IPOH: Oily residue mixed with floodwaters at Arena Kepayang Putra, Fair Park, here yesterday, along with floating debris, is suspected to originate from waste discharged into drainage systems by nearby commercial areas such as eateries and vehicle workshops.
Ipoh City Council (MBI) member Muhammad Hamzah Md Hamdan said this was his initial assumption after visiting the affected area and wading through the floodwaters.
The water was found to be coated with oil that resembled grease and litter.
Hamzah said that the floating waste was likely household garbage left uncollected when garbage trucks were unable to enter the area due to rising water levels.
"The flood began midday yesterday, which coincided with the scheduled garbage collection. However, due to rising water levels from around 11am, trucks operated by the concession company couldn't access the area," he explained.
He added that while the oil might be from nearby commercial establishments, the sheer volume was unusual.
"I suspect the oil could be from shop lots, including restaurants and workshops in the vicinity. However, this is just speculation because the quantity of oil covering two lanes in the residential area seems excessive.
"Both lanes are also located near Sungai Kinta. We are still working to determine the source of the oil," he said.
Regarding the waste, Hamzah confirmed that the collection schedule for the area is every two days, with the most recent scheduled pick-up being Sunday or Monday.
However, rising floodwaters disrupted the service, causing garbage to float in the flooded area.
As the council member for Zone 9, which includes Kepayang, Hamzah said the oil-laden floodwaters caused skin irritation.
Residents described the flood as unprecedented in their 24 years of living in the area.
"I personally waded through the oil-coated floodwaters, which reached waist level. After washing up, I experienced skin irritation, although the oil itself was odourless.
"Residents said this was the first flood in the area in over two decades, even though nearby areas have experienced floods recently, including this year, involving a different river system — Sungai Senam," he added.
During a midnight inspection accompanying Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad, Hamzah found that water levels had receded, and affected residents were relocated to a temporary relief centre at Dewan Dato' Azumu Tak in Kampung Kepayang Masjid.
As of 10am today, the Perak State Disaster Management Committee (JPBN) reported 30 evacuees from 11 families housed at the centre.
Yesterday, images and videos went viral on social media, showing residents and rescue teams wading through floodwaters mixed with oil and garbage at Arena Kepayang Putra, Fair Park.