AMPANG, Nov 14 — Selangor’s rapid development has underscored the need for more innovative flood mitigation measures, including using green spaces as temporary rainwater retention areas.
State executive councillor for infrastructure and agriculture Dato’ Izham Hashim said extensive development had altered the natural landscape, reducing the capacity of areas that once absorbed rainwater into the ground and channelled excess water into drainage systems.
“Available green spaces can be utilised as temporary retention areas to allow rainwater to be absorbed into the ground through a nature-based solution approach.
“This approach will be given due consideration in the planning of new and existing developments, including exploring the construction of underground retention ponds to overcome space constraints,” he told reporters after attending the MADANI Kita Programme (PMK) Pandan 2026 at the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) Hall in Pandan Indah here today.
Izham said Selangor’s development requires more innovative methods of managing excess water and addressing flood risks, rather than relying entirely on conventional flood mitigation measures.
He said the implementation of these approaches will also take into account guidelines issued by the Town and Country Planning Department (PLANMalaysia), which will be incorporated into planning permission requirements imposed by local authorities.
He added that priority will be given to areas frequently affected by floods to ensure high-risk locations are addressed first.
On the monitoring of flood mitigation projects, Izham said updates on projects implemented by the federal and state governments can be accessed through a flood dashboard, which also features quick-win flood mitigation projects.
The dashboard is expected to be made available to the public within three weeks, allowing them to monitor the progress of flood mitigation projects.
Yesterday, when tabling the Selangor Budget 2027, Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari announced that a green lane would be introduced to expedite approvals for flood mitigation projects, while streamlining technical reviews and coordination between agencies.
He said 56 flood mitigation projects had been identified for implementation next year to reduce flood risks in the state without compromising safety, environmental requirements and procurement procedures.
