JUST as Malaysians has settled down to enjoying some form of normalcy after months of lockdown, heavy downpour in the Klang Valley, Negeri Sembilan, Perak, Kedah and Malacca during the past week has disrupted their daily routine.
Some citizens on a rush home after office hours experienced heavy traffic jams in some parts of the Klang Valley. As some roads either had sinkhole issues or car accidents, citizens who drove to commute in and out of work have had to spend more than 1.5 hours on average.
For residents staying in low-lying, flood-prone areas, they may not be able to drive to work if their vehicles were ruined by flooding. For homes that were filled with mud damaged electrical and home appliances, they may have to stay at temporary accommodation.
There is an increasing concern that residents who stay in flood-prone areas will experience flood again any time soon. EMIR Research has written an article on how extreme weather events would result in Malaysia facing the worst flood scenario by the end of the year.
According to the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) Director-General Muhammad Helmi Abdullah, four to six episodes of significant heavy rain with possible flooding are expected to occur in the early phase of the North-East Monsoon from November until January 2022.
States which will experience heavy rainfall from November till December are Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang. On the other hand, Johor, Sabah and Sarawak will experience heavy rain from December till January 2022.
However, this is not a new phenomenon in Malaysia.
Even before the emergence of the Covid-19 pandemic, the government spent billions of ringgit on flood mitigation measures alone.
The average annual cost of structural flood mitigation projects increased from about RM3 million under the 2nd Malaysia Plan (1971-1975) to approximately RM1 billion during the 11th Malaysia Plan (2016 -2020).
Recently, in response to flash floods in Kedah, Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced an immediate aid of RM75 million for repairs to the damaged infrastructure in Yan and Merbok following the Gunung Jerai mudflow in August.
Minister of Environment and Water Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man also revealed that the government has allocated over RM9 billion for almost 100 flood mitigation and urban drainage projects under the 12th Malaysia Plan (2021-2025) to manage the flood issue.
The Covid-19 pandemic not only limits our ability to absorb unexpected costs from flooding, but we also become more vulnerable in making ends meet due to the economic losses arising from the previous lockdown measures.
With a loss of jobs and income, the hardcore poor and B40 households who are staying in flood-prone areas would prioritise spending on basic needs (i.e., food, transport and shelter) – over clothing, education and health etc. - to cope with the rising cost of living.
Therefore, to address the recurring losses associated with multiple occurrences of flooding events in Malaysia, the Ministry of Environment and Water should increase efforts in the following initiatives:
Introduce reforestation around low-lying, flood-prone areas to regulate water flows, act as barriers against storm surges and protect against erosion and mudslides;
Introduce new market-based incentives for restoring degraded forests and increase the penalty for illegal logging;
Regularly clearing solid pollutants that clog drains and rivers;
Increase the carrying capacity of rivers and drains – either widening, deepening or both;
Create a floodplain along the river to increase the water carrying capacity. During monsoon seasons, the floodplain could become a sacrificial piece of land to protect inhabited areas. In contrast, the floodplain could act as a water-dense, fertile, agricultural land where villagers could plant vegetables to generate their economic livelihoods during non-monsoon seasons;
Install simple, custom-designed surveillance Internet of Things (IoT) modules at designated spots along the river. They can consist of a pollution detection sensor, a camera, a micro-controller, a transmitter and a rechargeable lithium-ion battery to prevent the river from clogging;
Construct swales along major highways, roads and housing areas that are prone to flooding. Swales are shallow, broad and vegetated channels that could convey stormwater and treat run-off to reduce pollutants. In turn, the water does not collect on land and reduces the likelihood of flooding events;
Install pedestrian pathways or cycling pathways by using permeable, highly-porous materials. Thereby, the water would seep through its surface and become groundwater or drain into drainage systems. With no more than 15-minute walking or cycling distance for most shops, parks, leisure facilities and residential areas, local citizens could enjoy nature, get fit, relax and release stress through cycling and jogging activities; and
Create awareness campaigns and education programmes to promote a better understanding of environmental issues, especially disasters.
EMIR Research also urges the government to:
1. Conduct periodic reviews (i.e., once in a month) of all short-, medium- and long-term flood mitigation plans together, ensuring all strategies are implemented within the specified time frames. The Department of Drainage and Irrigation (DID) and local city councils, for instance, should coordinate closely with the Ministry of Environment and Water;
2. Plan for more evacuation centres at high-rise places that take into account the risk of Covid-19 in terms of ventilation and physical distancing, and ensure citizens are fully vaccinated;
3. Continue developing effective early warning systems and disaster risk-reduction plans. For instance, MetMalaysia and National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) could apply Geographic Information System (GIS) to produce a flood hazard map daily, identifying high flood risk areas. In turn, citizens who stay in low-lying areas could prepare to put their belongings in waterproof containers and relocate electrical appliances to higher ground in advance;
4. Develop disaster-proof infrastructure to protect individuals and communities against natural hazards. The current administration could construct more large dams and build more high-capacity sewage treatment plants to restore polluted rivers to their original clean water quality condition;
5. Allocate funding to conduct research and development (R&D) in the area of flood mitigation with the academic institutions, state governments and local authorities; and
6. Adopt and adapt the US government’s approach in developing flood insurance programmes – protecting flood victims in Malaysia against losses from flooding. To ensure the premium is affordable, the government perhaps could introduce an “income-based subsidy” to subsidise B40 and M40 households. While letting T20 households pay the full flood insurance premium, the government could consider providing up to 80% and 50% subsidies for B40 and M40 households, respectively, which will help compensate them with the potential losses arising from damaged property.
Lastly, rather than purely relying on government effort in mitigating flood issues, all Malaysians must do their part not to throw any rubbish into the drain or river. The government could upgrade the existing drainage system without further delay and reduce the number of flood victim deaths and property damages.
Amanda Yeo is Research Analyst at EMIR Research, an independent think tank focused on strategic policy recommendations based on rigorous research.
** The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the position of Astro AWANI.
AWANI Columnist
Tue Oct 26 2021
![Severity of flooding in Malaysia requires greater concerted effort Severity of flooding in Malaysia requires greater concerted effort](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-10/81634734452_TBBANJIRMELAKA.jpg)
There is an increasing concern that residents who stay in flood-prone areas will experience flood again any time soon. - AWANI/Filepic
![Kes bunuh Nur Farah Kartini: Suspek berkhidmat 5 tahun dalam PDRM Kes bunuh Nur Farah Kartini: Suspek berkhidmat 5 tahun dalam PDRM](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/81721102947_suspekbunuhNurFar.jpg)
Kes bunuh Nur Farah Kartini: Suspek berkhidmat 5 tahun dalam PDRM
Anggota berusia 26 tahun terbabit bertugas di Balai Polis Slim River di bawah Ibu Pejabat Polis Daerah (IPD) Muallim dengan pangkat lans koperal.
![Perunding pelaburan didakwa terlibat pengubahan wang haram hampir RM1 juta Perunding pelaburan didakwa terlibat pengubahan wang haram hampir RM1 juta](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/51721117052_SaifulNizamSaharud.jpg)
Perunding pelaburan didakwa terlibat pengubahan wang haram hampir RM1 juta
Seorang perunding pelaburan mengaku tidak bersalah atas empat pertuduhan pengubahan wang haram berjumlah hampir RM1 juta.
Purata suhu meningkat 0.24 darjah celcius per dekad
Berdasarkan rekod dari tahun 1969 hingga 2019, purata suhu bulanan di Semenanjung Malaysia pada bulan Mei 2024 adalah 28.8 darjah celcius manakala purata suhu bulanan pada bulan Mei 1974 iaitu 50 tahun yang lalu adalah 26.6 darjah celcius.
ADUN dari kerajaan perpaduan sertai Pas
Menurut Takiyuddin, keahlian Muhamad Jailani yang juga wakil rakyat UMNO diterima pada 10 Jun tahun lalu, namun diumumkan secara rasmi hari ini.
![Kerajaan lihat semula perjanjian penjualan air kepada Singapura - Fadillah Kerajaan lihat semula perjanjian penjualan air kepada Singapura - Fadillah](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/81720085306_FadillahYusof.jpg)
Kerajaan lihat semula perjanjian penjualan air kepada Singapura - Fadillah
Fadillah berkata perkara itu sudah berlaku ketika zaman pentadbiran bekas Perdana Menteri Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad lagi.
![Pelancong asing ditahan disyaki cabul pekerja spa di Pulau Perhentian Pelancong asing ditahan disyaki cabul pekerja spa di Pulau Perhentian](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-07/51658407048_Cabul.jpg)
Pelancong asing ditahan disyaki cabul pekerja spa di Pulau Perhentian
Polis menahan seorang pelancong lelaki warga Maghribi kerana disyaki mencabul seorang juruterapi wanita rakyat tempatan di Pulau Perhentian.
Warga Thailand seludup diesel dihadapkan mahkamah
Seorang pemandu lori warga Thailand dihadapkan ke mahkamah atas menyeleweng 322 liter minyak diesel minggu lalu.
ADUN Rembia sertai Pas: YB Kampar minta buka riben putih
Susulan pengumuman ADUN Rembia sertai Pas dalam sidang media, YB Kampar, Chong Zhemin kemuka Peraturan Mesyuarat dan menyifatkan satu penghinaan besar buat Parlimen.
#SisiTVParlimen
#AWANInews
#SisiTVParlimen
#AWANInews
![Malaysia, Brunei dalam proses rundingan muktamad sempadan darat negara - Mohamad Malaysia, Brunei dalam proses rundingan muktamad sempadan darat negara - Mohamad](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/41720590984_DatukSeriMohamadH.jpg)
Malaysia, Brunei dalam proses rundingan muktamad sempadan darat negara - Mohamad
Mohamad Hasan berkata buat masa ini, kerja-kerja penandaan dan pengukuran di lapangan telah meliputi 175.96 km atau 33.3 peratus daripada keseluruhan jarak sempadan.
Kim Pan Gon undur diri kesan kepada Harimau Malaya
Apa reaksi peminat Harimau Malaya dan penganalisis sukan mengenai peletakan jawatan Kim Pan-Gon?
![Gempa bumi kuat 6.6 skala richter landa Mindanao, Filipina Gempa bumi kuat 6.6 skala richter landa Mindanao, Filipina](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2020-12/81608076420_Gempabumi.jpg)
Gempa bumi kuat 6.6 skala richter landa Mindanao, Filipina
Gempa bumi kuat berukuran 6.6 pada skala Richter melanda Mindanao, Filipina pada 10.13 pagi tadi.
![Gempa bumi kuat landa selatan Afrika Gempa bumi kuat landa selatan Afrika](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/61720595819_Gempabumi.jpg)
Gempa bumi kuat landa selatan Afrika
Gempa dengan kedalaman 14 km itu berlaku di 2,143 km selatan dari Port Elizabeth, Afrika Selatan.
![Gempa bumi 6 skala Richter landa Kepulauan Bonin, Jepun Gempa bumi 6 skala Richter landa Kepulauan Bonin, Jepun](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/81720404635_gempabumi.jpg)
Gempa bumi 6 skala Richter landa Kepulauan Bonin, Jepun
Satu gempa bumi kuat berukuran enam pada skala Richter dikesan berlaku di Kepulauan Bonin, Jepun pada 4.01 pagi tadi.
![Gempa bumi kuat gegar pantai Peru Gempa bumi kuat gegar pantai Peru](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-06/41719563916_earthquake.jpg)
Gempa bumi kuat gegar pantai Peru
Pusat gempa itu terletak 15.8 darjah selatan dan 74.4 barat dengan kedalaman 60 kilometer (km) iaitu 234 kilometer tenggara dari Ica, Peru.
![Pembenihan awan ditumpu di tujuh lokasi sekitar Kelantan Pembenihan awan ditumpu di tujuh lokasi sekitar Kelantan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-06/71719133295_ProgramOPA.jpg)
Pembenihan awan ditumpu di tujuh lokasi sekitar Kelantan
Ia bagi mengatasi masalah penyusutan paras air Sungai Kelantan dan kemarau berpanjangan yang merundung para pesawah di negeri itu.
![Angin kencang 70km sejam cetus ribut di Kedah Angin kencang 70km sejam cetus ribut di Kedah](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-06/81719125267_Anginkencang.jpg)
Angin kencang 70km sejam cetus ribut di Kedah
Kelajuan angin dipercayai lebih tinggi di kawasan kampung namun tidak dapat direkodkan kerana tidak mempunyai stesen meteorologi.
![Hujan, ribut petir hingga Ahad di kebanyakan tempat Hujan, ribut petir hingga Ahad di kebanyakan tempat](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-12/81639996512_TBTINJAUANCUACASER.jpg)
Hujan, ribut petir hingga Ahad di kebanyakan tempat
Jabatan Meteorologi (MetMalaysia) meramalkan hujan dan ribut petir di beberapa kawasan di seluruh negara berterusan hingga Ahad ini.
![Gempa kuat bermagnitud 6.3 landa Kepulauan Tonga - MetMalaysia Gempa kuat bermagnitud 6.3 landa Kepulauan Tonga - MetMalaysia](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-05/61716775085_tbKepulauanTonga.jpg)
Gempa kuat bermagnitud 6.3 landa Kepulauan Tonga - MetMalaysia
Gempa bumi kuat berukuran 6.3 pada skala Richter dikesan berlaku di Kepulauan Tonga pada 4.47 pagi Isnin.
![Gempa kuat bermagnitud 6.4 Kepulauan Vanuatu - MetMalaysia Gempa kuat bermagnitud 6.4 Kepulauan Vanuatu - MetMalaysia](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-05/51716696890_gempabumi.jpg)
Gempa kuat bermagnitud 6.4 Kepulauan Vanuatu - MetMalaysia
Satu gempa bumi kuat berukuran 6.4 pada skala Richter dikesan berlaku di Kepulauan Vanuatu, pada 6.23 pagi tadi.
![Rompin rekod bacaan IPU tidak sihat Rompin rekod bacaan IPU tidak sihat](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-05/81714643902_jerebu.jpg)
Rompin rekod bacaan IPU tidak sihat
Indeks Pencemar Udara (IPU) yang direkodkan pada 11 pagi tadi menunjukkan satu stesen mencatatkan kualiti udara pada tahap tidak sihat iaitu di Stesen Rompin, Pahang disebabkan kebakaran setempat.