Downpour causes flash floods

PETALING JAYA: A late evening downpour here yesterday seemed to answer the prayers of many who could not take the scorching heat of the day but for some it did not come without woes.

The downpour in several areas caused flash floods and brought traffic to a standstill.

Traffic snarl-up: Vehicles stopping near the flooded roads in Kota Damansara last evening. — EHFAN SHAH/ The Star

The 30-minute rain, which started at 5pm, caused flash floods in areas like Mutiara Damansara and Kota Damansara.

By 6pm, vehicles heading towards the shopping malls in the area were stuck in a jam that lasted for almost an hour as the water level rose steadily. A few stalled cars were seen by the roadside.

Petaling Jaya Municipal Council public relations officer Zainun Zakariah said the situation was brought under control by 7pm once the rain had stopped.

“The floodwater started receding by 7.30pm and the traffic flow went back to normal as we have deployed our staff to observe the area after our complaints department received calls from the public,” she said.

THE STAR