UNCONTROLLED land use activities, especially in the upstream areas of river basins, were among the causes of severe flooding in Kelantan and Terengganu, experts said.

They said large-scale felling of trees in forest areas for timber, plantation or development has also caused floods to worsen.

They said the onus is on the state governments to have better control of such activities.

“When we continue to change land use upstream, heavy rain will cause the water flow to increase,” Universiti Malaysia Terengganu hydrologist and flood expert Edlic Sathiamurthy told The Malaysian Insight.

“But this water flow cannot be absorbed due to land use factors.

“There are also sediments, which cause the rivers to become shallow.

“In the end, the rivers are unable to accommodate the excess water, resulting in the situation we are seeing now (severe floods).”

He said it is important that the state governments not allow large-scale deforestation.

Sathiamurthy cited examples of development in the basins of Sungai Golok, Kelantan and Sungai Nerus, Terengganu, which were among the worst-hit areas during the recent floods.

“If we look at the areas of these two rivers, they are among the worst affected by high water levels,” he said.

Sathiamurthy was commenting on the major floods that hit the east coast states last month.

Terengganu recorded more than 40,000 flood victims with Jerteh in Besut completely paralysed when all roads in the area were inundated.

In Kelantan, there were almost 32,000 victims when floods hit Rantau Panjang.

Sathiamurthy said development and the lack of a good drainage system also caused floods.

He said in developed areas, tarred roads cause excessive run-off.

“In forest areas, almost 100% of rainwater is absorbed into the ground.

“But in places where there is development, 90% can be surface run-off, which is why flash floods occur.”

Sathiamurthy also expressed concern about the impact of breakwaters, which are found in many rivers and river mouths in Terengganu.

He said although their purpose is to make it easier for fishing boats to go in and out regardless of the time and tide, they have the effect of narrowing the river mouth.

“We are not saying that these breakwaters cannot be used. In other countries like Australia, there are many breakwaters, but they are designed according to the nature and process of the coast,” he said.

“(But) in Malaysia, one design of breakwater is used for all without considering the suitability of the area.”

He said the federal or state governments need to take a more holistic approach in tackling floods such as integrated river basin management.

He said this method is the best in reducing the effects of floods, but unfortunately, it is not implemented diligently.

“The idea has been around for 20 years, but I have not seen the concept being used. Whatever land use activity we want to carry out, it needs to be planned,” he said.

“Otherwise, we will always have the same problem, floods.

“That’s why I always say floods cannot be avoided because they are a natural phenomenon, but we can avoid the severe effects.”

Flood mitigation projects

Association of Water and Energy Research Malaysia president S. Piarapakaran said there are two factors that cause severe floods – deforestation and climate change.

“Climate change is an easy reason if we are looking for a scapegoat. Malaysia has an equatorial climate and there are tropical rainforests, but do we have historical data to show rainfall?

“We have to refer to the facts and not point fingers, saying it is because of climate change,” he said.

The most urgent matter to pay attention to is the flood mitigation projects, he said.

“We have to undertake effective flood mitigation projects because they can control excess rainwater. It does help but on the condition that there is no development around them,” he said.

“Whatever flood mitigation project is implemented, it must take into account the environment, especially in the context of long-term projects, so as not to waste the people’s money.”

Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad has said 40 projects related to flood mitigation and environmentally friendly drainage would be implemented.

In Kelantan, two main flood mitigation projects are being implemented, one of which is the Kelantan River integrated basin development project costing RM456 million. It is almost 90% complete and expected to be ready in April.

The other project is in Sungai Golok involving three phases. Phase one is 71% complete and expected to be ready in August next year. – January 6, 2023.