Climate-proofing businesses

Loss: A grocery store owner outside his flooded premises in Tumpat, Kelantan, on Dec 27. — Bernama

WHILE the current monsoon season has triggered heavy rainfall that is causing severe flooding on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, the increase in frequency and severity of floods caused by climate change nowadays disrupts communities and businesses throughout Malaysia.

Small businesses play an important role in communities as people rely on them to get daily necessities. If such businesses do not resume operations as soon as possible after experiencing floods, daily life and the local economy will be affected.

A resilient business can act as a catalyst for community recovery. However, many small business owners are still not prepared adequately for such disasters despite their now regular occurrence.

They often believe that it is the government’s responsibility to plan and take action during and after floods on behalf of all affected parties. As a result, many tend to take things for granted and are unsure of how to protect their lives and minimise damage to premises, assets and inventories before government assistance arrives.

Small business owners should realise their importance to the community and be fully prepared to protect premises and inventories during flood events.

Planning is important in this. Since relocating is often too costly for many, what business owners must do is accept floods as recurring events and focus on preparation. Through planning, businesses can reduce the risk of damage.

For example, immovable and bulkier items such as chairs and other furniture, should be made from solid wood or other flood- resistant materials that can withstand inundation and be easily cleaned with water. For items that are light and less bulky and usually placed near the ground, there is usually enough time to move them to a safer higher position before floodwaters rise.

When business owners and staff can plan to keep their assets and business items safe, they can then concentrate on their own personal safety, which is most vital of all.

By planning ahead and acting fast, business owners can reduce a disaster’s impact. This means they can resume operations as soon as possible after waters recede. On the other hand, businesses that are unprepared and badly damaged by floods will face difficulties in resuming operations as they would need capital to repair damage and replenish stock; capital may not be readily available in the community at that time and suppliers might have also been affected and unable to meet their demand.

Building a resilient business that is climate-proof means integrating climate change mitigation and adaptation measures into business operations. However, because of a lack of awareness as well as being preoccupied with day-to-day operations, many business owners are not keen to learn about disaster preparedness.

Businesses in flood-prone areas should form associations and collaborate with the National Disaster Management Agency to seek assistance in disaster planning as well as organising training programmes and other initiatives to ensure everyone is aware of the importance of preparedness and the necessary actions to take during floods.

PROF DR MOHD RAFI YAACOB

Faculty of Entrepreneurship & Business

Universiti Malaysia Kelantan

DR MARIEANNE CHRISTIE LEONG

Institute for Artificial Intelligence & Big Data

Faculty of Earth Science

Universiti Malaysia Kelantan