Most respondents predict extreme weather over next decade

KUALA LUMPUR: Nearly 70 per cent of respondents to a survey across Southeast Asia have predicted their home country will continue to face extreme weather events over the next decade, taking a significant toll on local economies and infrastructure.

The survey, which is part of a white paper entitled “Flood controls in Southeast Asia” carried out by Grundfos, a Denmark-based pump manufacturer, also revealed that the majority of respondents also believed the average temperatures had become higher and monsoon seasons had become more unpredictable.

As for Malaysia, the survey revealed 60 per cent of respondents did not believe rural and urban planning for extreme weather events was effective, the highest compared with their regional counterparts.

Furthermore, the white paper also showed 74 per cent believed Malaysia had not allocated sufficient government funding to tackle extreme weather events and climate conditions, while 66 per cent did not agree that Malaysia worked well with neighbours to produce solutions for climate change.

Grundfos regional business director of water utility Tan Chee Meng said while Malaysian states were at various stages of implementing their water management and flood control systems, there were some great examples of innovative adoption and planning for flood disaster response, as highlighted in the study.

“However, looking ahead, there is opportunity to adopt a more coordinated approach both at a national and regional level,” said Tan recently.

Emphasising that Malaysian respondents were also less likely to agree that their country was working adequately with neighbours to address the issue, Tan said other countries shared the same concern.

“We urge for a regional approach to flood management, getting governments and businesses to communicate their best practice initiatives and establish frameworks for prevention and protection,” he said.

There have also been calls by industry experts for a more proactive approach to flood management, as many flood relief operations tend to be reactive in nature, with relevant authorities acting after the disaster has occurred, instead of having a policy in place to prepare for the future.

Highlighting Grundfos, Tan said pump technology was an important component for low-lying tidal estuaries to manage water flows, and the ability to provide a customised solution for every installation is crucial, as waters from muddy, perhaps polluted confluences, will require different pump capabilities to those operating in sea-water barrages or freshwater lakes.

“For flood-prone areas such as Johor, Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Penang, flash floods tend to occur especially in recent years, due to poor drainage during monsoon season, which calls for efficient pumping solutions that are reliable in facing the unpredictability of these extreme weather events.

“As an industry we need to look at solutions that are responsive to changing conditions such as varying water levels,” said Tan.

Looking ahead, there is opportunity to adopt a more coordinated approach both at a national and regional level. TAN CHEE MENG Grundfos regional business director of water utility