Flash floods have hit several areas in Kuala Lumpur, following the heavy downpour that started about 2.30pm.

Water levels rose on major roads, including Jalan Bangsar, Jalan Chan Sow Lin and Jalan Semantan, according to Kuala Lumpur City Hall's Integrated Transport Information System (Itis) alerts.

"3.40pm, reported flash floods at the LRT station near the Chan Sow Lin tunnel. Traffic is closed on both sides. Please be careful," an Itis alert on Twitter reads.

Twitter users also shared pictures and alerts of high water levels at Jalan Mahameru, Jalan Duta, Jalan Chan Sow Lin and Jalan Kia Peng.

Some pictures showed water rising to more than 30cm high as the rain continued.

According to Bernama , floodwaters started to recede at about 5.15pm, after about three hours of rain.

Jalan Duta, Jalan Sultan Ismail and the Cheras roundabout was then reopened to traffic.

Meanwhile, Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB) said the  Komuter service between Bank Negara and Kuala Lumpur has been stalled due to flash floods.

According to the Malaysian Meteorological Department, heavy rainfall is expected to continue until later this month, after which a prolonged drought is expected.