IPOH: The Ipoh City Council will dismantle three pedestrian bridges, believed to be one of the causes for the massive flash flood in Taman Cempaka in Ipoh on Friday (Dec 10) night.

       Ipoh Mayor Datuk Rumaizi Baharin said after a site visit at the residential area, it was found that the bridges had become an obstacle for drain water to flow smoothly.

       "As the water could not flow smoothly, the gushing water overflowed on to Sari 5, Sari 7 and Sari 10.

       "Following a discussion with representatives from the Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID), Canning assemblyman Jenny Choy and contractors, removing the bridges would be the short-term plan to prevent another flash flood in the area," he said when contacted Saturday (Dec 11).

       "Another factor was due to the downpour last night," he said.

       "The DID recorded some 48.5mm of rainwater, which was considered a heavy rainfall," he added.

       The flash flood had hit the residential area at about 9pm.

       Houses and cars were inundated as the water level was over 0.6m high.

       Rumaizi said the city council would conduct further investigations in the area and come up with medium- and long-term mitigation plans.

       Meanwhile, Choy said her team members received calls about the swelling drain as early as 6pm.

       "The rain was quite heavy and residents there became worried about a flash flood.

       "This is the first time such a serious flooding incident has occurred in the area," she said.

       "We have informed the residents, especially those affected, to come to our service centre if they need any assistance," she added.