The Star Online: Metro: Central
The Star Online: Metro: Central |
| Flash flood havoc puts DBKL in overdrive as Met Dept forecasts more rain Posted: 12 Apr 2013 04:32 AM PDT KLANG VALLEY folk have been asked to brace themselves for more thunderstorms in the evenings from now until early May. The Malaysian Meteorological Department's forecast showed that rain is expected almost every day from now onwards as it is a normal occurrence during the inter-monsoon season. During this period, there will be plenty of rain, especially in the afternoon and evening and it is expected to hit parts of the Klang Valley, the department said in a statement to StarMetro. The statement added that the thunderstorms would be accompanied by strong winds. On Wednesday evening, a thunderstorm wreaked havoc and caused flash floods and traffic chaos in many parts of Kuala Lumpur. Motorists were forced to abandon their vehicles and wade through waist-deep water in many main roads in Kuala Lumpur. Areas that were hard hit were Jalan Tun Razak, Jalan Parlimen, Jalan Duta, Jalan Pudu, Jalan Cheras Lama, Jalan Chan Sow Lin, Jalan Segambut and Bukit Bintang. Pavilion KL and Sungei Wang Plaza basement carpark area were also badly flooded resulting in many motorists being stranded. Over in Jalan Kolam Air, a half-completed flood mitigation project which was supposed to be ready last year, had caused massive damage to some 100 houses in the area. Flood water rose up to three feet, flooding the porch and hallways of homes. "It was terrible, many people had to take leave yesterday just to clean up their houses," said a frustrated Ravichandran Pakiam Pillay who lives nearby. Ravichandran also wanted to know what had happened to the RM6mil flood mitigation project, which was supposed to put an end to the flood woes in the township. "From what I have heard, the pumphouse is not complete. "The Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) completed a retaining wall for flood mitigation, but from what happened on Wednesday, obviously it is not working," said Ravichandran. When contacted, Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) Public Works and Drainage Department director Tan Keng Chok said rainfall was unusually heavy on Wednesday, causing flash floods to hit core city areas. According to Tan, the rainfall was usually recorded at 60mm, which, according to him, is already considered high, but the readings spiked unusually two days ago. "We recorded some 140mm of rainfall in Jalan Ipoh and at the Batu retention pond, while the rainfall was 118mm in Sungai Bunos," Tan said. He added that the recorded amount was considered very high and above the danger limit for heavy rain. City Hall Landscape and Recreation Department director Mustafa Mohd Nor said that he and his team were out from 11pm to remove a huge tree that had fallen in front of a condominium in Jalan Ceylon in the city. "The tree was blocking the entrance and it took 30 of my officers to remove it," Mustafa said. Mustafa added that City Hall's hotline received a total of 37 complaints on uprooted trees from different parts of the city. Meanwhile SMART, commenting on Wednesday's flood which took the city by storm, said it was on stand-by to prevent any flooding in the city. Chief operating officer Mohd Fuad Kamal Ariffin said the team has been doubled and are on alert 24 hours a day. "The patrol team and operation room staff have been on high-alert since last September to monitor the situation to prevent flooding within its coverage areas in Kuala Lumpur," said Mohd Fuad. "Though the recent flooding in Kuala Lumpur was not within our coverage zone, we did use the SMART system to divert excess flood water upstream via the Berembang pond," he added. |
| Time off to connect as a couple Posted: 12 Apr 2013 04:31 AM PDT I AM sipping a sinful cup of ciccolata calda at some random sidewalk in Rome, breathing in the cool spring breeze and enjoying the deep sounds of church bells ringing from afar. My husband fiddles with his huge camera that he carries around in his equipment bag. Sometimes I wish he was more of a "point-and-shoot-with-small-camera" sort of guy. Instead, photography is his hobby and along with this huge sling bag, is a tripod. I get tired just seeing him lug all his toys from one subway to another, but I've learnt that in marriage, just like any good relationship, sometimes it's best not to say anything and just let things "be". This is our first real honeymoon, three years after tying the knot in a simple akad nikah. Our first two "honeymoons" were spent with friends and the next, with our children. Not exactly the truest definition of a honeymoon. Having said that, my boss pointed out that this was not a honeymoon either because we've been married for 'so long' (at least in my definition). A honeymoon is a traditional holiday taken by newlyweds to celebrate their marriage in intimacy and seclusion. The Merriam-Webster dictionary reports the etymology as from "the idea that the first month of marriage is the sweetest", hence many referring to the word "honeymoon" as a temporary relaxed, sweet phase. For example, I remember a time after SRP/PMR, my principal Mrs Matthews kept reminding us not to treat Form 4 as a 'honeymoon' year but a preparation for the big exam — SPM. That seems so long ago. Now, here I am finally doing the Europe roadtrip with my husband. Our honeymoon challenge: Seven countries, 10 cities, all within 17 days. "Quite a feat and definitely not a honeymoon," said our good friend Endie. "Aren't honeymoons supposed to be relaxing? Where all you do is you-know-what," he cheekily added. I guess that's what honeymoons were originally created for. Back in the days when most marriages were arranged, the honeymoon right after the matrimonial ceremony was to enable the newlyweds to be intimately acquainted without prying eyes. In this era, most couples see each other every day while some even choose to live together before taking the leap of marriage. Are honeymoons, then, neccessary? I guess it all boils down to tradition and a nice excuse to get away from the hustle and bustle, especially as more and more couples start planning their wedding at least a year in advance. It is interesting to note that back then, more women were homemakers. Now, the number of dual-income families, where both husband and wife work, has increased. When a contemporary couple tie the knot, chances are both partners are employed, so this means the honeymoon is the first long vacation they will have taken together. "But you see each other every single time since both of you work together!" exclaimed Endie. True. But there are pros and cons to that. The latter would be that we talk about work everywhere we go. My husband needed his wife. Not the mother to his children. Or his business partner. "I miss my wife." In one of our rare quiet dinners together (that was not work-related), he asked me, "If you had to place more importance on the relationship between your children or your spouse, which would it be?" Trick question. Having the Cancerian trait in me, I refused to commit myself. He answered: "You must take care of your spouse, because your children will always be your children. They are your flesh and blood. The bond will always be there. But you can 'lose' your spouse by the snap of your fingers if you fail to nurture the relationship, to sustain it." His answer hit me like a brickwall. In short, the honeymoon is nothing more than an excuse for two people to enjoy some time off without the complications and distractions of the real world creeping in. Our version of a honeymoon may not be as sweet or romantic as how some people may think it should be, but it was conjured and thought about sincerely, together — from our hearts. And that's how a marriage should be. It's not just about the love and passion, but about compromise and honesty. I'm done with my delicious drink. I think I'll be his tripod holder for this trip. One more week till I see the children, Oh how I miss them! But for now, this child needs me more. Follow her microblog and holiday pictures via her Instagram: daphneiking. She's added #yogaposesaroundeurope as part of her challenge. Her husband thinks she's a bit of a nut. But he tolerates her eccentricities. |
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