PETALING JAYA: The Environment and Water Ministry is implementing a flood disaster risk assessment based on climate change projections that is expected to be completed in 2024.

       Its Minister Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tun Man said this will be done through the flood hazard map initiative and the flood risk maps under the Irrigation and Drainage Department (DID) covering 36 major river basins that have been developed.

       For the Klang Valley area, he said hazard maps for six river basins have been developed, while flood risk maps for Sungai Bernam basin have been completed.

       “The development of these hazard and risk maps is expected to be completed in 2024 and updated continuously,” he said when replying to a question raised by Datuk Nizar Zakaria (BN – Parit) in Dewan Rakyat on Thursday (March 10).

       Nizar had asked about the preparedness of the disaster warning system in the country and on whether the Ministry had carried out climate change studies considering the threat of more frequent natural disasters in the future.

       Tuan Ibrahim noted that Malaysia is indeed vulnerable to floods due to the shape of the earth's surface and climate system that has a high humidity rate.

       “Climate change will further increase the country's vulnerability to disaster risks, including floods," said Tuan Ibrahim.

       He added that the results of the NAHRIM study also found that there will be an increase in the maximum intensity of heavy rainfall.

       "This will affect the level of flood protection design for the existing drainage system as well as the construction of water-related infrastructure,” he said.

       He added that the departments and agencies under the Ministry such as the DID and the Malaysian Meteorological Department (METMalaysia) always strive to increase the level of preparedness to face disasters such as floods.

       Tuan Ibrahim said the DID and METMalaysia also constantly maintains and improves the level of preparedness of the warning system under the supervision of the relevant Departments.

       “The dissemination of weather and flood information as well as early warning to the rescue team will be improved immediately and coordination with stakeholders will also be enhanced,” he said.

       Under the 11th and 12th Malaysia Plan, he said MetMalaysia is currently installing eight new radar stations in Perak, Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, Sabah and Sarawak.

       “This is an additional 11 radar stations that we currently have and is expected to be completed this year,” he said.

       Apart from this, he added that DID also implements the Flood Forecasting and Warning Programme (PRABN) that is aimed to provide early warnings to the agencies related to disaster management and the public.

       “The sirens will ring when the water level exceeds a certain threshold level to give early warning to the residents there," said Tuan Ibrahim.

       “Flood forecasts as early as two and seven days are also provided in locations where floods are expected. Currently, this system is in operation in the river basins in Sungai Pahang, Kelantan and Terengganu with an accuracy of 65%,” he added

       Tuan Ibrahim added that DID through PublicInfoBanjir website constantly monitors the rainfall and water levels throughout the country and issues warnings once certain water thresholds have been breached.