Why Do Flash Floods Happen in Malaysia?

Recently, there was a menacing flood happening in Klang due to the continuous heavy rain. It happened on December 17 and it has strongly affected the operations of Klang. Many people were stuck from the way home and many of them were suffering from food shortage and damage that was brought by this disaster. Before the flash flood in Klang, a serious flood happened in Kelantan in 2014. But the flood happening in Klang shows the failure of flood prevention. 

The Causes of Flash Floods

Climate change is one of the causes of flash floods nowadays. As the climate gets warmer, there will be more vapors and moisture to be held in our atmosphere. It brings extreme changes in temperature and the volume of rainfall. Due to the long-term impact of climate change’s effect, when sudden heavy rainfall, especially in the monsoon season,  happens then floods happen. 

Other than climate change, rapid development on urbanization is also a cause of flash floods. Urbanization has modernized several areas in the country but there are also deforestation happening at the same time. The lands have been reclaimed for development and some of the small rivers will be filled. The surface of the developed lands seem to be ‘waterproof’ as there is little space of soil for the rainwater to be absorbed or run off. The rainwater flows from hills to the lowland areas where it causes flash floods to occur. If the drainage system is not built in a proper way, the situation may get worse. 

We Malaysia alone can’t make a big change on the effect brought by climate changes on flash floods. But we can step up in the way for sustainable development and maintain the forests to make some contributions to prevent the climate deterioration. Other than that, environmental greening also can help to reduce the risk of floods happening. 

PREVENTION BEFORE HAPPEN IS BETTER THAN CURE!

References

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2021/12/18/floods-residents-say-klang-worst-hit-in-more-than-four-decades

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2021/12/755612/floods-disrupt-several-klang-valley-highways

https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2021/12/22/experts-selangor-floods-show-failure-to-prevent-a-repeat-of-kelantan-in-201/2030182

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/malaysia-once-100-years-flooding-climate-change-disaster-planning-2391316