MORE than 500 flood warning sirens are being built in phases across flood hotspots in the country by the Irrigation and Drainage Department (DID), says Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.
There are 117 flood warning sirens being installed in Sabah, followed by 99 in Selangor, 45 in Johor, 40 in Pahang, 38 in Kedah, 28 in Kelantan, 28 in Perak, 27 in Penang, 24 in Kuala Lumpur, 23 in Sarawak, 21 in Negri Sembilan, 13 in Melaka, 12 in Perlis, 10 in Terengganu and one in Labuan.
The total number of warning sirens to be installed is 526.
Nik Nazmi also said the DID was currently using the National Flood Forecasting and Warning System (NaFFWS) to track rainfall and water levels in real time.
“This programme can provide seven days of advance flood simulations and issue warnings as early as two days (before),” he said during Question Time in Parliament yesterday.
He added that the flood forecasting programme involved 41 river basins across the country.
Nik Nazmi said the flood warning and forecasting programme would be completed in phases, with full nationwide deployment by 2025.
He was responding to Che Alias Hamid (PN-Kemaman), who had asked about flood hotspots that are being fitted with warning systems.
Lee Chean Chung (PH-Petaling Jaya) then asked a supplementary question on whether SMS alerts would be used to alert possible flood victims.
Nik Nazmi said the ministry was considering allowing SMS, and also WhatsApp, to be used to give such warnings.
“We will see what’s the best method,” he added.
