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Malaysia ramps up flood mitigation efforts following Northeast Monsoon safety warning

Malaysia ramps up flood mitigation efforts following Northeast Monsoon safety warning

The Fire and Rescue Department is urging the public to stay away from rivers, waterfalls, and other recreational water spots.

Flood mitigation works are being carried out in several parts of Selangor following heavy rainfall that affected 15 locations across four districts earlier this month.

In a media statement, the Selangor Government said rainfall readings of between 51.5mm and 114.5mm were recorded on 5, 6, and 7 November 2026.

The affected districts were Petaling, Klang, Kuala Selangor, and Sepang, with nine affected locations in Kuala Selangor, four in Klang, and one each in Petaling and Sepang.

Several factors were identified as contributing to the flooding, including high rainfall, river overflow, and insufficient internal drainage capacity to accommodate surface runoff.

Other factors included low and narrow bridge levels, as well as damage to existing river embankments caused by irresponsible parties.

In response, the Federal and Selangor State Governments are implementing short- and long-term flood mitigation measures through the Selangor State Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID), covering the Klang, Kuala Selangor, and Sepang districts.

However, the state government cautioned that flood risks could not be completely eliminated, citing low-lying terrain and extreme weather conditions associated with climate change.

Members of the public can track the progress of flood mitigation projects through the Selangor DID's Flood Mitigation Project Dashboard.

The department updates project implementation statuses by the 10th day of each month. For further information, the public can contact the Selangor State DID hotline at 03-5544 7376.

Flood-hit areas and measures by district

Petaling (one area)

AreaFlood triggerQuick fixesLong-term plan
Kampung Melayu SubangRain above 60mm, drains overwhelmed & low-lying area near Pelempas and Pelumut rivers280 l/s pump running, flapgates installed & Sungai Damansara dredging under waySungai Pelempas flood mitigation project (Phase 2): Tender expected December 2026

Klang (four areas)

AreaFlood triggerQuick fixesLong-term plan
Taman MaznahInternal drains unable to carry water out in timeHandled by MBDKHandled by MBDK
Taman SentosaInternal drains unable to cope with surface runoffHandled by MBDKHandled by MBDK
Kg. Johan SetiaLow, narrow bridge slowing drain flow & low-lying areaDrain maintenance under wayDrainage upgrade (Phase 2): Land acquisition Q3 2027, tender Q2 2028
Kg. Bukit KaparHeavy upstream rain; unauthorised quarry clearing & drains overwhelmedEnforcement against unlicensed quarries; more frequent drain maintenanceDrainage upgrade: Land acquisition 2027, tender 2028

Kuala Selangor (nine areas)

AreaFlood triggerQuick fixesLong-term plan
Taman Seri AlamHeavy rain & retention pond overflowPump house run by MPKS & mobile pumps; pond restorationDrainage upgrades (tender Q2 2027): Hillpark pond relocation planned
Mapel HillparkRain over two hoursPond maintenance and restorationSaujana Utama drainage upgrade (tender December 2026)
Jalan Derahman and Jalan Zazuli, Kg. Bukit HijauRain over two hours & drains over capacityDrain maintenance, screw pumps &  enforcement against illegal dumpingDrainage upgrade: Land acquisition 2027, tender 2028
Jalan Parit Haji Omar, Kg. Bukit Kuching TengahRain over two hoursParit Merbau maintenance & screw pumpShares the Bukit Hijau long-term measures
Taman Saujana PerdanaRain over one hourMonitoring, MPKS pump house & embankment repairSaujana Utama drainage upgrade (tender December 2026)
Batu 7 Kampung IjokHeavy rain upstream of Sungai BulohMobile pumps, embankment repair and raisingSungai Buloh flood mitigation (Phase 2): design stage
Kg. Jaya SetiaRain over two hoursDrain maintenance & monitoringDrain upgrade: Tender Q1 2027
Jalan Masjid, Kg. Bukit KerayongRain over two hours & drains over capacityMain drain maintenanceFlood mitigation for Sembilang and Janggut basins: New project application
Jalan Bahagia, Kampung Parit MahangRain over two hoursDrain maintenance, Sungai Janggut and Sembilang upkeep, screw pump & embankment raisingRoad level to be raised by JKR & Sungai Buloh flood mitigation (Phase 2): Design stage

Sepang (one area)

AreaFlood triggerQuick fixesLong-term plan
Taman Suria WarisanSungai Kelinsing overflowed at a development site where the embankment was damagedTwo mobile pumps &  developer urged to speed up embankment repairsSungai Langat flood mitigation (Phase 2, Package 2): 7.43% complete

Public advised against recreational water activities during Northeast Monsoon

In the same vein, the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) has advised the public to postpone recreational activities in water bodies throughout the 2026/2027 Northeast Monsoon season.

In a media release dated 10 November 2026, the department urged the public to avoid bathing, swimming, picnicking and camping at rivers, rapids, waterfalls and water slides. This follows unpredictable weather conditions and heavy, continuous rainfall in several areas, which could lead to sudden rises in water levels, strong currents and sudden surges of water.

JBPM highlighted that such conditions could put members of the public at risk of serious accidents and loss of life.

The department also reminded the public to stay updated on weather developments, follow instructions from the authorities and take preventive measures. Anyone requiring emergency assistance should call the 999 emergency line and provide rescuers with the incident location.

The advisory follows an incident at Sungai Pertak in Kuala Kubu Bharu, Selangor, on 9 November 2026, where eight individuals were reportedly swept away by strong currents while taking part in recreational and climbing activities.

Another 26 individuals stranded in the surrounding area were successfully rescued.

JBPM expressed its condolences to the families of those involved, noting that the incident served as a reminder of the risks associated with recreational activities in rivers and forest areas, particularly during unpredictable monsoon weather.


ALSO READ: Public in Malaysia urged to take health precautions as Northeast Monsoon season sets in

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