Flood Hazard Awareness & Management In Penang: Issues And Challenges

FLOOD HAZARD AWARENESS & MANAGEMENT IN PENANG: ISSUES AND CHALLENGES

By
Dr Chan Ngai Weng
President

Introduction

Penang represents one of the most rapid developing states in Malaysia (Malysia being one of the "Tiger Economies" of Asia). Penang is rapidly developing, industrialising, and urbanising. However, like all other developing economies, the state is plagued by seasonal environmental hazards (mostly floods) that significantly reduce its GDP and deplete its annual budget on development. Flood loss has not only caused loss of life but also resulted in enormous economic losses.

In terms of flood management, Penang's predominant official strategy is based on a technology-centred approach emphasising the application of new technologies such as the use of computer modelling, flood forecasting and telemetry and automatic warning gadgets in flood warning and evacuation systems.

Undoubtedly, such developments, if applied properly can effectively reduce loss of life, industrial loss, livestock, crops and property damage.

However, the application of high-tech solutions can only be successful if the public/victims respond effectively to flood warnings and react positively. Often, sophisticated (imported) flood warning and evacuation systems are alien to the public who are accustomed to traditional systems. This will eventually lead to lack of confidence in the costly new technologies, rendering them utterly useless. In many cases, such confusion and mistrust of the new systems have even led to greater flood loss. In contrast, traditional methods have been employed for centuries and the locals understand them well as they are used to them. Because of their long adaptation, locals respond effectively in times of flooding via traditional systems in much the same way as the human body's immune system responds to an alien strain of virus. Take away this traditional system and replace it abruptly with a completely new system will do the victims more harm than good, as it will probably endanger their lives. The majority of flood-prone victims living on the flood plains have developed some flood mitigation and flood-loss reduction methods. The amount of loss-reduction accruing from the use of traditional methods of flood mitigation can be significant. Often, the amount of loss-reduction can determine whether or not a small or medium scale industry or a farmer can recover fast enough to resume production or planting the next season's crop. Families not taking pro-active flood loss-reduction often end up being plunged into greater depths of debts which they may take a long time to repay. This underlines the importance of traditional flood mitigation strategies

being used vis-à-vis the official strategies.

Water Watch Penang firmly believes that people do count and they must be educated, possess a greater sense of awareness and be involved sufficiently in flood hazard response and management. This is to ensure that the public do not over-rely on the government to implement all flood schemes which are far from being infallible. A comprehensive flood management strategy incorporating both official as well as traditional systems working in tandem will undoubtedly maximize flood-loss and damage. Water Watch Penang is activly involved in flood awareness, education and warning amongst local communities in Penang state.