THARANYA ARUMUGAM New Straits Times 3 Nov 15;
KUALA LUMPUR: The Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) is in the midst of upgrading the early flood warning system at three rivers in Pahang,Terengganu and Kelantan.
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said this would see the information dissemination to police, fire department and the National Security Council in flood prone areas between six hours to two days in advance.
"The department is currently upgrading the flood detection and warning system at Sungai Pahang, Sungai Kelantan and Sungai Terengganu, in which information will be updated every 15 minutes as compared to one hour previously.
"Alerts will be issued to the relevant department automatically via text messages the moment the river water level reaches warning level (above two metres from the normal level).
"This will allow enough time for evacuation," he told reporters after launching the flood mitigation programme here today.
Wan Junaidi said previously, the relevant departments were only alerted of possible flooding between six hours and one day.
Meanwhile, an official from the DID said with the early flood detection and warning system that is expected to be fully implemented at the three rivers by the end of 2017, the department is mulling to disseminate information directly to the public via text message.
"The department is currently looking to address some of the challenges, among others, biling cost for the text messages and poor mobile coverage in the outskirts."
Meanwhile, Wan Junaidi said the Smart Tunnel has prevented 182 floods in Kuala Lumpur since 2007.
He added that the ministry is studying possibilities of having a similar tunnel in another part of Kuala Lumpur to prevent flooding in the city.
Close watch on three major rivers
RAHIMY RAHIM The Star 4 Nov 15;
KUALA LUMPUR: Three major rivers are under close watch by the authorities, with a two-day flood advance warning system being put in place to alert the public.
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said they had identified parts of Sg Kelantan, Sg Terengganu and Sg Pahang that were prone to flooding.
They were also upgrading the flood detection and warning system at the rivers, and the data would be updated every 15 minutes instead of every hour, he said.
“Our early warning system will alert the relevant agencies before sending an alert via text message to give the public time to evacuate to safer ground,” he said.
Dr Wan Junaidi was speaking at the launch of the Preparation for Monsoon Season programme at the Smart Control Centre of the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID), near Kampung Berembang, yesterday.
He said the preparation was important because some 460,000 victims were forced to relocate during last year’s floods in the east coast.
It was the worst floods in the nation’s history and the agriculture sector was severely affected.
Kelantan, Pahang, Terengganu, Perak, Sabah and Sarawak were the worst hit and more than 20 people died in the disaster.
In Kelantan, the floods caused an estimated RM200mil in damages while losses in the agricultural sector nationwide amounted to RM297.83mil.
“Although it may not be as bad as the previous year, we are on standby due to our terrible experience,” said Dr Wan Junaidi.
He said the intensity this year may not be as severe due to the El Nino and La Nina phenomena which lower the risk of massive floods.
He said the DID was inspecting its assets, drains, communications equipment and water pumps to ensure all were in good working order.
“We hope developers and stakeholders in the agriculture sector will give us their full cooperation during the inspections, we do not want any debris in the drainage systems,” he said.
Dr Wan Junaidi noted that the Government has allocated RM730mil under the 11th Malaysia Plan for flood mitigation and post-flood operations.
More than 450 rainfall and water data centres across the country are monitoring the flood situation 24 hours a day.
Some 440 warning sirens are being set up at flood-prone areas.
For details, go to publicinfobanjir.water.gov.my or call the DID Careline, 1300 801 010.
