Taman Sri Muda in Seksyen 25 Shah Alam was among the worst hit flood areas in December 2021. – IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star
FLOODS caused some RM6.1bil in losses nationwide in 2021, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM). This included damage to homes, vehicles, business premises, agriculture, factories and public assets/infrastructure.
The losses to the latter (electrical systems, roads, bridges, drains, public buildings, etc) were the biggest of all categories at RM2bil (33%), while damage to homes was RM1.6bil (26%).
Selangor was the worst hit overall, with about half of Malaysia’s losses recorded in the state, the DOSM report stated.
As many as 55 people perished in the floods from December 2021 to January this year, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Special Functions) Datuk Dr Abd Latiff Ahmad. More than 120,000 residents were displaced.
Climate change played a role. While east coast states such as Kelantan and Terengganu are used to and more ready for annual monsoon floods, west coast states such as Selangor are less expectant of such deluges, notes Serina Rahman, visiting fellow at Singapore’s ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute.
So last December, when Tropical Depression 29W (a mild typhoon) took an unexpected turn to the peninsula’s west coast, it dumped unprecedented volumes of rainfall. From Dec 17, a four-day continuous downpour was equal to a month’s worth of rainfall in the area.
Four rivers in Selangor breached their banks and many single-storey homes in Taman Sri Muda (Shah Alam) were flooded to their rooftops.
At the same time, a flow of forest debris gushed down rivers from the Titiwangsa Mountain Range and wiped out parts of Hulu Langat – leaving barren patches of land, collapsed roads and destroyed bridges in its wake. Residents likened it to a tsunami, says Serina.
Flood mitigation
Floods in the country can be managed in a holistic, sustainable and inclusive manner with a stable government, according to economist Dr Muhammad Daaniyall Abd Rahman.
“We need political stability so that the government can undertake large-scale flood alleviation measures,” says Dr Muhammad Daaniyall, an economist at the Centre for Future Labour Market Studies in Putrajaya.
‘(Flood mitigation projects) will be expedited to avoid the recurrence of severe floods,’ said Ismail Sabri.
Malaysia needs to develop flood resilience to adapt to climate change. In August, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced five major flood mitigation projects with an allocation of RM4.7bil under the 12th Malaysia Plan.
“At the end of last year (2021), major floods occurred in Selangor such as in Shah Alam, Hulu Langat and so on. With these flood mitigation projects we can avoid major floods,” he said when officiating at the Keluarga Malaysia Aspirations Tour (AKM) of Selangor.
“This effort will be expedited to avoid the recurrence of severe floods that affect the well-being of the population, and the economy of the state and country.”
In September, the prime minister announced that seven flood mitigation projects worth RM1.3bil are in the works for Kedah, also under the 12th Malaysia Plan. These projects are slated for Sungai Pendang, Sungai Kedah/Anak Bukit, Kuala Pegang and Bandar Jitra Selatan.
The government under the leadership of Ismail Sabri has developed a long-term flood mitigation plan from 2023 until 2030 which will cost RM15bil.
On Oct 7, when tabling Budget 2023, Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz said the flood alleviation projects include the construction of a dual-function reservoir costing almost RM2bil along Sungai Klang and Sungai Rasau in Selangor – to overcome floods and to store raw water.
Sabo dams costing RM562mil will be built at 46 locations under Budget 2023 to reduce the risks of debris and mud floods from deforestation. A sabo dam, also called check dam, is a dam-like structure with many gaps, like a giant sieve. It’s designed to slow down, but not retain, water gushing down from mountains and to trap logs, huge rocks and debris tumbling downwards.
After chairing a National Water Council meeting in July, Ismail Sabri revealed that a sabo dam is being built in Yan (Kedah), and will be built in Baling (Kedah) and Janda Baik (Pahang) soon to avoid repeats of the devastating water surge floods that hit these places.
For 2023, Tengku Zafrul added that RM400mil will be channelled to the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) to ensure a state of preparedness to assist promptly in the event of floods. The government has also set aside RM100mil under the National Disaster Aid Fund.
As Parliament was dissolved on Oct 10, Budget 2023 will probably need to be tabled again in Parliament after the elections.
However, it remains a clear statement of the government’s serious intentions to tackle floods.
On Oct 29, Ismail Sabri reiterated this by announcing that RM1.8bil would be allocated for flood mitigation and seashore erosion works in Pahang.
Experts point out that tackling floods also involves non-structural measures such as better flood warning systems, coordination between the district, state and federal authorities for faster emergency response, and improved management of forest slopes.
Structural measures involve not only better drainage systems and flood retention ponds but also urban design – for example using grass for permeable parking lots and household/commercial rainwater harvesting tanks. The aim is to increase absorption of rainfall, and to reduce rapid run-off into drains.
Personal items damaged and unsalvageable after the flood. – FAIHAN GHANI/The Star
Protecting livelihood
Dr Muhammad Daaniyall points out that another aspect that the government is looking at is the protection of people’s livelihoods.
Flexible social protection schemes, such as insurance, to deal with disaster risks will be studied by the government.
The objective is to reduce post-disaster liabilities and to reduce the financial burden of the government by getting the corporate sector involved, he says.
To tackle floods, the country needs an integrated management ecosystem and political will.
It will be about the involvement and coordination of various government agencies, the private sector and local communities, he adds.
To realise both the short and long term goals of flood mitigation, Malaysia needs a stable government, says Dr Muhammad Daaniyall.
This will ensure that flood management can be achieved in a holistic, sustainable and inclusive manner so that the welfare and safety of the people will be protected.
