KUALA LUMPUR: 526 flood warning sirens are being built in phases across hotspots in the country by the Irrigation and Drainage Department (DID), says Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.
He said a total of 117 sirens are being installed in Sabah, followed by 99 in Selangor, 45 in Johor, 40 in Pahang and 38 in Kedah.
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Nik Nazmi said 28 each are being installed in Perak and Kelantan, followed by Penang (27), Kuala Lumpur (24), Sarawak (23), Negri Sembilan (21), Melaka (13), Perlis (12), Terengganu (10) and Labuan (one).
He also said DID is currently using the National Flood Forecasting and Warning System (NaFFWS) that is tracking rainfall and water levels in real time.
“This system can carry out seven days of flood simulations and issue warnings as early as two days (ahead),” he said during Question Time in Parliament on Monday (March 20).
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Nik Nazmi also said the system involves 41 river basins across the country.
Meanwhile, Nik Nazmi said phase two of the development of the flood warning and forecasting programme (PRAB) involves 38 river basins.
“It will be fully operational nationwide by 2025,” he added in reply to Che Alias Hamid (PN-Kemaman), who asked about flood hotspots areas that are being fitted with warning systems.
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Lee Chean Chung (PH-Petaling Jaya) then asked a supplementary question on whether or not SMS alerts will be used to issue flood warnings.
Nik Nazmi said the ministry is considering allowing SMS and also WhatsApp to be used to warn potential victims.
“We will see what’s the best method,” he added.
