The SMART tunnel is one of the flood mitigation projects to prevent flash floods in Kuala Lumpur.— FAIHAN GHANI/The Star
THE Malaysian Meteorological Department (MET Malaysia) has announced that the country is in the midst of a monsoon transition which started in September and will continue until early next month.
During this transition, the weather pattern would usually have clear skies in the mornings while the evenings are inundated with heavy rain, thunderstorms and strong winds until night-time.
With such weather conditions, there is the risk of flash floods, landslides, water surges, fallen trees, lightning strikes and further damages to unstable structures.
To prepare for the risk of flooding due to heavy rainfall, the Energy Transition and Water Transformation Ministry (Petra), through its Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID), has implemented short and long-term solutions for flood-prone hotspots in the country.
So far this year, DID has identified 4,619 of the flood hotspots nationwide and has made preparations to reduce flooding risks.
Amiruddin says each flood mitigation project is planned with the objective of reducing the flood frequency.One of them is to implement flood mitigation projects to address the increasing risk of rising waters in areas frequently beset by such disasters.
DID deputy director-general Amiruddin Alaldin said each flood mitigation project has the objective of reducing flood frequency to a level of protection of up to 200 Average Recurrence Interval (ARI).
“All flood incidents recorded in the country are caused by rainfall of less than 200 ARI,” he said.
“Implementing the High Priority Flood Mitigation (TBBT) project can help reduce the number of people affected by floods and the area at risk of flooding,” he explained.
Upon reviewing the latest developments in flood mitigation projects, DID has approved 43 TBBT projects at a total cost of RM10.45bil.
The projects involved major areas that were affected by monsoon or coastal floods throughout the country, including Sabah and Sarawak.
The priority given to the projects is based on an analysis that takes risk, frequency of floods, the number of people who need protection, as well as public infrastructure vulnerable to flooding, into consideration.Amiruddin added that DID has innovative measures that use the latest technology in implementing projects including those for flood mitigation.
One of the methods involves an underground flood reservoir that also functions as a temporary flood water catchment.
“This method allows the structure to be built underground and the space above it can be reused as a parking area, public park or field after the project is completed.
“This structure can be built using the precast concrete or cast in situ method, and the latest technology also introduces modular plastic.
“In addition, the flood water bypass method is used to divert flood water from upstream to downstream areas of the river.”
This involves constructing flood water bypasses, either through open channels or underground tunnels, depending on the needs and conditions of the site.
“Flood water bypass tunnels will leave the infrastructure above ground untouched. Among the examples of such projects are the SMART tunnel in Kuala Lumpur; the West Timah Tasoh flood diversion project in Perlis and the Tanjung Olak bypass project in Muar, Johor,” he said.
DID projects that involved construction on areas with weak soil structures include employing the latest technologies such as wet soil mixing.
This will ensure the cliffs’ stability by reducing the risk of erosions and landslides.
This was implemented in the Krubong flood mitigation pond upgrading project in Melaka.
The ministry will continue to monitor hotspots by implementing data analysis and flood risk master plan studies through the DID.It also acknowledged that parts of the country required immediate attention in planning and implementation of more effective flood mitigation projects.
Cloudrain and Raindrops are products developed by Nahrim.
Innovation for drinkable rainwater
In addition to flood mitigations, the ministry is also looking to securing the nation’s future in terms of drinkable water.
It is predicted that Malaysia would experience the North-East Monsoon from this month until March.
During this period, the country is forecast to receive heavy rainfall, with a risk of flooding.
Although this is considered a natural disaster with a negative impact on the rakyat, the National Water Research Institute of Malaysia (Nahrim) believes that the amount of rain will create space for innovation through the development of packaged drinking water using rainwater.
The innovation is implemented through the development of two of such products namely Raindrops and Cloudrain.
The rainwater harvesting process is carried out in two different locations – a forest reserve in Kuala Tahan in Jerantut, Pahang for Raindrops, while Cloudrain is produced by the National Water Research Institute of Malaysia (Nahrim) which is based in Seri Kembangan, Selangor.
These areas were selected to assess the rainwater quality in rural and urban areas.
Azman says the innovation helps increase alternative drinking water sources to reduce dependence on traditional sources.After being harvested, rainwater is channelled into a collection tank and later, a storage tank to be filtered, exposed to ultraviolet light, before being bottled and labelled for consumption.
According to Nahrim’s water resources and climate change research centre director Azman Mat Jusoh, the packaged drinking water innovation will provide alternative drinking water to reduce the dependence on traditional sources.
“This is also in line with the country’s policy to adapt to the risks of climate change by utilising collected rainwater.
“It can reduce the pressure on water supply during the dry season to ensure the availability of continuous water sources for the affected community and local areas.
“Furthermore, this innovation provides a flexible resource to face the uncertainty of Malaysia’s climate scenario.”
He also explained that, in the context of Malaysia’s Water Sector Transformation 2040 or WST2040, the method is strategic as a water economic development model to provide job opportunities in the area of green technology.
It has the potential of contributing towards growing the country’s gross domestic product, and achieving water resource sustainability.
To promote the widespread use of the product, a comprehensive management approach is emphasised, with a focus on the current technology.
“Smart technology needs to be introduced in all aspects of management, including collection, treatment and filtration using artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things.
“This step should improve the efficiency of the production process in addition to the treatment and filtration technology to maintain quality,” he said.
