Around-the-clock monitoring for more floods

Thousands of personnel from various safety and rescue agencies under Nadma are fully prepared to deal with any flood disasters during this monsoon period. – Bernama

WITH the rainy weather causing floods in various locations and increasing risks of landslides, authorities are on high alert for any eventualities.

The Department of Irrigation and Drainage (JPS) is currently carrying out 24 hour-monitoring operations for continuous rain and river water levels.

“Such efforts began on Nov 1 and will last until Jan 31 to be on alert over the monsoon season across the country,” the department tells Sunday Star.

The monitoring operations are done through the department’s National Flood Forecasting and Warning Center’s water resources and hydrology management division.

Recently, the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) warned that the monsoon is predicted to bring about continuous rain for four days, from yesterday to Wednesday, Dec 21, on the east coast states of the peninsula.

The wet weather is expected to last until early next year due to the northeast monsoon and the La Nina cycle.

As of Dec 13, downpours have led to flooding in 14 districts in five states so far – namely, Terengganu, Perak, Pahang, Johor and Kelantan.

Forecast system to be extended

To better deal with floods, a forecast system to issue early flood warnings is being developed to cover all states in Malaysia, says the JPS.

Such a system, under the department’s National Flood Forecasting and Warning Programme (PRAB), can issue flood warnings as early as two days in advance and obtain forecasts as early as seven days.

While it has been fully implemented in the Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang river basins, the system is currently being developed to be available in all states in Malaysia by 2025, under the project’s second phase.

A third phase, to be completed in 2030, will cover 33 other river basins in Sabah and Sarawak.

“PRAB allows rescue agencies and the public to prepare in advance before a flood occurs to reduce the risk of property damage and loss of life.

“With the completion of this PRAB, flood simulations will be able to be carried out seven days in advance.

“Flood warnings will be given two days before the flood is expected to occur for the relevant agencies to take action,” the department explains.

PRAB has been fully implemented in the Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang river basins under the programme’s first phase since 2018, and operates based on data from MetMalaysia and JPS.

A total of 126 siren stations have been set up to warn residents in these areas of floods.

A second phase is currently being carried out involving 38 other river basins across the country, with 390 siren stations to be developed in stages.

“So far, the system in the Pahang, Kelantan and Terengganu river basins has been operating with an accuracy of 65%.

“This system has greatly helped reduce the effects of severe flooding in the three river basins by helping National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) and rescue agencies to manage floods,” the JPS explains.

Previously, MetMalaysia has said that four to six episodes of heavy rain are expected to occur between Nov 7 and March 2023 during the northeast monsoon season.

This is especially expected to hit the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia.

In this month, Pahang, Terengganu and Kelantan are expected to receive the highest rainfall at an average level of between 350mm and 500mm.

Most of the other states in the peninsula are expected to receive rain at an average level of between 100mm and 250mm except Kuala Lumpur, which may have between 50mm and 100mm.

In Sabah and Sarawak, both states are expected to receive between 150mm and 200mm in rainfall during this month.

In urging the people to be alert in facing the monsoon, the JPS also reminds the public not to litter and dump garbage indiscriminately to avoid the trash clogging up rivers, and increasing chances of floods.

“The public can obtain information on flood warning announcements and also the status of river water levels and rainfall throughout Malaysia at publicinfobanjir.water.gov.my

“They can also use the MyPublic Infobanjir mobile application,” the department says.

'Public must be prepared'

Meanwhile, the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) is also ever ready to spring into action should more incidents occur during the wet season.

“A total of 79,549 personnel from various safety and rescue agencies are fully on standby to deal with any eventualities during this period.

“In terms of managing flood victims, the Social Welfare Department is prepared to activate 6,010 temporary relief centres (PPS) nationwide, with the capacity to hold over 1.6 million people,” Nadma says.

It says the government has also mobilised 22,622 water assets like boats, trailer boats and jet skis belonging to various agencies in facing the monsoon.

In dealing with the current rainy season, Nadma stresses the public must also do their part.

“We may not be able to stop natural disasters from happening, but we can work towards preparing for them to minimise any damages to property and loss of life.

“Being prepared isn’t the sole responsibility of the government agencies.

“Such preparedness starts at home and is the duty of each individual because everybody faces the risk of being in a natural disaster.

“It’s also not only for those in risky areas such as locations prone to floods and landslides, but all of us must be on alert,” Nadma advises.

It notes that such incidents are becoming more frequent, with their patterns changing by not following previous trends like the localities of which they normally occur.

“As such, we all need to be vigilant and not take any chances.

“This means, we cannot afford to have the ‘tidak apa’ (apathetic) attitude, whereby we believe we won’t be involved as such incidents have never happened to us before,” Nadma highlights.

It also urges the public to follow orders if asked to evacuate the area and not delay such actions.

“Such is the civil preparedness that needs to be inculcated in Malaysian society as part of our culture.

“The people must always be ready and not only look to government agencies or non-governmental organisations when disaster strikes,” it adds.