The floods are just round the corner, again. November will see the beginning of the deluge that has caused havoc over the east coast of the Malaysian peninsula every year and then, later it goes east to Sabah and Sarawak. According to the Meteorological Department, the east coast states of Pahang, Terengganu and Kelantan will have heavy rainfall from November through to January and the states of east Malaysia take their turn in January and February. However, the El Nino weather phenomenon, that is causing the drought and forest fires in Indonesia currently, may alleviate the impact of the monsoon season somewhat. If that is then the case, there would be some respite for the authorities who have yet to re-house victims of the last flooding who are still living in their devastated houses.
While that is the hope, already Typhoon Soudelar took 24 lives in Taiwan and mainland China last August. Heavy rains destroyed houses and caused mudslides. An assumption that El Nino might ameliorate the impact of the monsoons could, therefore, be misleading and dangerous if it leads to a lackadaisical attitude. Climate change has a way of causing quite unexpected weather movements and the unexpected could arrive instead. Therefore, irrespective of what is expected, it is best to prepare for the worst because, as the saying goes “it’s better to be safe than sorry”.
This, after all, is an annual affair that cannot be avoided. From time immemorial, this country has been dealing with the monsoons and the topography of inundation by flood waters is well known. If the promised early warning system is in place, then it can be assumed that rescue efforts will be rolled out early to prevent loss of lives by anticipating evacuation needs. Furthermore, while it must be accepted that the National Security Council (NSC) has shown its mettle over the years and over time has improved the coordination of rescue efforts, also due to last year’s experience, there is a need to prepare for the worst case scenario every time. The unexpected severity of the 2014 floods left many stranded over many days without shelter and supplies in extremely bad weather that hampered rescue, even by helicopters.
Already, flash floods are occurring in Perak, forcing the evacuation of 118 villagers and giving a taste of things to come. A home was reported destroyed by a falling tree and the flood exacerbated by water from a nearby hill flowing into homes. In short, between nature’s wrath caused by the destruction of the ecology and man’s apathy, things can go really wrong. While the authorities are expected to do more than their best, those used to being victims also must act with vigilance, ready on the spur of the moment to obey evacuation orders while leaving as much of their home safe from the ravages of the floods. Could not the Housing and Local Government Ministry come up with proposals that might end this yearly onslaught? If the Dutch can keep out the Atlantic Ocean, why cannot Malaysia design flood-proof houses?