More than
600,000 evacuees, 34 deaths and RM153.4mil in losses – this was the total cost
of floods in Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang and Johor from 2014 to 2018. Throughout the five-year period, 2014 saw the
most severe floods in the country's history with nearly half a million people
evacuated (The Star, 2 Jan 2020).
Number of evacuees from 2014 to Feb 2018
The chart above reveals the most flood-prone
states – along with Sabah and Sarawak - caused by the northeast monsoon which
starts in October and ends in March.
Floods have become more intense with each passing year. Costs to
manage them have increased four-fold, from RM1.79 billion in 2001 to RM5.81
billion in 2010, according to the National Disaster Management Agency.
In December 2014 and January 2015 floods, one of the worst in the
last decade, economic loss was reported to be some RM280 million. Most affected
were Pahang, Terengganu and Kelantan. The floods ravaged about 190,000ha of oil
palm plantations. More than 230,000 people had to be evacuated with 21 killed.
For Malaysia, floods are the most common and expensive natural
disaster. Malaysia cannot afford to
have floods annually — the damage to highways, hospitals, universities and
schools is unspeakable. Months after the 2014-15 floods ended, victims in
Kelantan and Terengganu continued to have food shortages, electricity and clean
water issues.
In addition to natural causes, floods are mainly attributed to
rapid development, unplanned urbanisation, poor drainage system, environmental
degradation and massive deforestation.
The government has spent billions on flood
control, mitigation and disaster management. However, the effectiveness of
these policies remains questionable. Relevant authorities should manage and
coordinate all stakeholders effectively. Budgets allocated need to be used
wisely not only on handling post-flooding catastrophes, but also on actual
preparations. They include:
Reforestation around low-lying and flood-prone
areas
Forest is our protector when it comes to
flooding. However, Malaysia’s rate of forest loss from 2000 to 2012 was at
14.4%, out-doing Brazil and Indonesia. This amounts to 19,200 square kilometres
– an area almost the size of Perak and more than double that of Selangor
deforested. We need some firm steps on reforestation.
Keeping drains and rivers clear of pollution
Besides ensuring solid pollutants are removed
from drains, authorities need to either widen or deepen them. Or in some cases
both. This is because monsoon-induced floods occur when water build up exceeds
drains and rivers’ carrying capacities. Custom-designed surveillance Internet
of Things (IoT) modules could be installed to monitor the area.
Creating floodplains and swales
Floodplains can help to increase the area’s
water carrying capacity. They become sacrificial pieces of land for floods
during monsoon seasons. During non-monsoon seasons, this floodplain could double-up
as water-dense, fertile, agricultural land for villagers to grow an array of
vegetables. In addition, swales could be constructed along major highways,
roads and housing areas that are prone to flooding.
Permeable pavements and surfaces
Today’s cities only allow around 15% of water to seep through
them, while natural ground cover allows more than triple this, at around 50%.
This is where permeable surfaces can be a game-changer.
Types of permeable
pavements
Quick implementation of ideas is needed before
the next monsoon attack. This is where public-private partnerships are most
relevant to get dredging or reforestation going.
Reference:
1.
34 deaths and RM153mil in losses, 2 Jan 2020,
The Star
2.
NST Leader: Calibrate economic costs, 5 Dec
2019, New Straits Times
3.
CPPS Policy Fact Sheet: Malaysia’s Flood
Management
4.
4 ways to end Malaysia’s never-ending flood problem, 19 Jan 2021,
FreeMalaysiaToday
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