HYDROCLIMATE data projection up to the year 2100, especially rainfall data, can assist the government in reducing the risk of future flood disasters, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.

Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said the data was obtained through the hydroclimate projection information system and portal, the National Water Research Institute of Malaysia (NAHRIM) hydroclimate data analysis accelerator (N-HyDAA).

“For example, the NHyDAA hydroclimate projection model was able to detect the forecast of relatively heavy rain in the northern area of the country including in the area of Gunung Jerai, Kedah, in August 2021.

“This includes the extraordinary floods which hit Peninsular Malaysia, the Klang Valley and the east coast states in December 2021, as well as the mud flood that occurred on July 4, 2022, in Kampug Iboi, Kupang, Kedah,” he said following a question from Che Alias Hamid (Kemaman-PN) on early warning systems for flood disasters.

Nik Nazmi said that phase one of the national flood forecasting and warning programme for the Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang river basins, has been operational since 2017, while phase two, involving 38 river basins nationwide, is expected to be completed in stages and will be fully operational in 2025.

He added that the soon-to-be-implemented national flood forecasting and warning system will be able to detect rainfall and water levels in real time.

In addition, he said that the government is also introducing 526 flood warning siren stations in stages, to be placed in hotspots nationwide.

He said 117 stations will be in Sabah, with others in Selangor (99), Johor (45), Pahang (40), Kedah (38), Perak and Kelantan (28 each), Penang (27), Kuala Lumpur (24), Sarawak (23), Negri Sembilan (21), Malacca (13), Perlis (12), Terengganu (10) and one in Labuan. – Bernama, March 20, 2023.