KUALA LUMPUR: The SMART highway tunnel has set a new record of sorts when it was activated for about 22 hours to divert rising waters of the Klang River following continuous heavy downpour yesterday.
Environment and water ministry secretary-general Zaini Ujang said the tunnel had diverted five million cubic metres of water since it was activated yesterday for about 22 hours due to the very high intensity rain.
Estimates by the drainage and irrigation department (DID) showed that the diversion had spared areas in the heart of Kuala Lumpur such as Masjid Jamek from major floods.
“DID pump houses have also been operating at maximum capacity so despite heavy rain and the water released by Batu Dam, Kuala Lumpur only experienced minor flooding,” he added.
In a statement, SMART said the five million cubic metres of water was diverted from the Klang and Ampang rivers to the Taman Desa Reservoir.