Kg Kasipillay residents welcome installation of flood warning system

Residents of Kampung Kasipillay, which is prone to flooding every year, are happy when Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) installed an early flood warning system in their area.

They hope the installation of flood warning balloons by City Hall in collaboration with the Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) can give an early warning to residents so that they can move important possessions to avoid big losses.

Kampung Kasipillay Residends Committee chairman Lim Ching Wah told Bernama that the installation of flood warning balloons was a right move as this year alone the area was flooded twice.

Aria Ratnam, 65, who has lived in the area for 30 years, said he was happy and supported the efforts by City Hall and DID to provide the warning system.

The flood warning system which was inaugurated by the Mayor of Kuala Lumpur, Datuk Seri Ahmad Phesal Talib, here today is a project by an innovative and creative Hybrid group from City Hall and DID.

The flood warning system works when the sensor installed on the riverbank detects rising water levels to dangerous levels and the siren will emit a sound and the balloon will rise in stages as a warning to local residents.

If the water level is 50 metres it is at danger level and at 70 metres it is at a critical point.

At a press conference after the ceremony, Ahmad Phesal wanted the community to assess the effectiveness of this system, the first of its kind in the world.

"The City Hall is open to all suggestions and proposals from the community to improve the warning system," he said.

He added that local residents should be the eyes and ears for the authorities to monitor the facility from being destroyed by irresponsible parties.