DBKL Upgrades Command Centre To Issue Flood Warnings One Hour In Advance

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 12 – Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) can now issue early flood warnings up to one hour before flooding occurs—a major leap from its previous five-minute lead time—following technological upgrades to the Kuala Lumpur Command Centre.

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Lo Su Fui shared the milestone during the Oral Question-and-Answer session in the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday, November 12, 2026.

Responding to a question from Prabakaran M. Parameswaran (PH-Batu) regarding flood-prone zones and temporary evacuation centre (PPS) readiness in the Batu parliamentary constituency, Lo revealed that 14 flood and flash flood hotspots have been identified across Kuala Lumpur this year, though none fall within Batu.

“Based on records from the past five years, two locations in the Batu parliamentary constituency, Kampung Chubadak Asal and Kampung Seri Delima, have experienced flash floods, affecting a total of 250 residents,” Lo explained.

To bolster short- and medium-term disaster preparedness, DBKL and the Social Welfare Department (JKM) have coordinated 36 temporary evacuation centres across the capital with a combined capacity of 3,550 evacuees.

Retention Pond Preservation and “Sponge City” Blueprint

Addressing urban infrastructure challenges, Lo noted that approximately 70 percent of Kuala Lumpur’s original 33.5 hectares of water catchment and retention areas had been lost over time due to historical land alienation.

To reverse this vulnerability, DBKL and the Federal Territories Department are collaborating with the Selangor state government to identify suitable sites for replacement retention ponds.

“In addition, the Federal Territories Department and DBKL have frozen development applications involving land on or around retention ponds and are planning to transform Kuala Lumpur into a sponge city,” Lo stated, reaffirming ongoing efforts to enhance municipal flood resilience.

Early Warning Upgrades, Evacuation Capacity, and Urban Mitigation Plans

Key flood management metrics, evacuation infrastructure, and urban planning reforms include:

• Warning Lead Time Upgrade: Expanded from 5 minutes to 60 minutes (1 hour) via Kuala Lumpur Command Centre enhancements.
• 2026 KL Flood Hotspots: 14 identified citywide (0 within Batu parliamentary constituency; past 5-year flash floods in Kampung Chubadak Asal and Kampung Seri Delima affected 250 residents).
• Evacuation Readiness: 36 temporary evacuation centres (PPS) coordinated by DBKL and JKM with a total capacity of 3,550 people.
• Catchment Loss & Recovery: 70% of KL’s original 33.5 hectares of retention areas lost to past land alienation; DBKL and Federal Territories Department partnering with Selangor to secure replacement pond sites.
• Regulatory & Urban Policy: Immediate freeze on development applications on or around retention ponds alongside plans to transform Kuala Lumpur into a “sponge city”.

–NMT