GEORGE TOWN: Weather forecasts predict that parts of Malaysia will experience four to six heavy rain episodes between next month and March 2025.
Tropical storms, flooding and droughts are becoming more frequent and less predictable, deviating from the usual seasonal norms.
In light of this, the Consumers' Association of Penang (CAP) has urged the government to adopt proactive, preventive measures, especially when it comes to tree planting and maintenance.
CAP president Mohideen Abdul Kader said the storms that swept through the northern peninsula from Sept 15 to 18 left a trail of destruction and served as a stark reminder of the urgent need to rethink how the authorities could reduce the impact of future storms.
He said as Malaysia faced the challenges of global warming, traditional approaches might no longer be sufficient to adapt to increasingly erratic weather patterns.
Citing an example, he said CAP deeply regretted the losses recorded during Penang's encounters with two of the most significant storms in recent history. One was the Nov 4 to 5, 2017 storm and the other was last month.
"In the 2017 storm, a weather station near Kepala Batas recorded a staggering 946mm of rainfall — close to 40 per cent of Penang's average annual rainfall — between Nov 3 and 6, accompanied by wind speeds of up to 44 km/h. During the recent September storm, wind speeds reached 41 km/h on Sept 17, nearly four times the average daily wind speed.
"Sustained strong winds weaken tree root systems over time, increasing the likelihood of trees toppling during storms. However, this risk can be significantly reduced through preventive measures.
"In light of the recent storms, which uprooted over 200 trees in Penang, we call on the government to implement preventive measures. CAP recommends planting deep-rooted species, conducting regular inspections of roadside trees, and avoiding root damage during construction.
"Given the increasing severity of storms due to climate change, CAP emphasises the importance of improving tree management and enhancing public safety precautions," he said today.
From another perspective, Mohideen said, Malaysia must join other nations in greening urban landscapes to help slow the global warming crisis.
He said to counter the "urban heat island" effect, Malaysia must join other countries in greening urban landscapes.
"Planting trees and shrubs in urban areas cool the environment by providing shade and enabling evapotranspiration.
"In January 2021, a healthy 10-metre-high raintree fell on Perak Road, tragically killing a man. Although the tree was certified as healthy and had been transplanted by a certified arborist in 2018, a botanist later suggested that the roots might have been excessively trimmed during transplanting, likely contributing to its fall.
"We strongly urge those involved in infrastructure projects to avoid covering or injuring surface roots, as this can weaken the tree's foundation, even if the tree appears to be 'growing well'. Damage to surface roots deprives trees of essential nutrients and moisture.
"We have seen cases where roots were layered with concrete or road materials to accommodate traffic or pedestrians, a practice that severely compromises the health of trees.
"Roadside trees should be regularly inspected, with dead, hollow, or diseased trees removed promptly. Trees with large canopies must be pruned before the monsoon season, especially older trees that require periodic professional maintenance. Proper pruning keeps the canopy balanced and ensures that strong, healthy branches are retained," he added.
Mohideen said, additionally, trimming roots for road widening or construction should be avoided, as this would weaken a tree's stability. He said soggy soil and compromised root systems were the primary causes of trees falling during storms.