‘Terengganu floods an anomaly’

> Bad drainage systems, land clearing and high tides said to be among causes

KUALA TERENGGANU: Floods in the east coast states during the monsoon season is normal, but to have the disaster strike Terengganu three times from only twice normally during the monsoon, is an anomaly.

Several villages, such as in Hulu Terengganu and Besut, which have never been affected by floods were also inundated.

Director of the East Coast Environmental Research Institute Dr Hafizan Juahir said there are several factors which contribute to the anomaly, namely dysfunctional drainage, unplanned usage of land and climate change.

“It is also influenced by natural factors, like high rainfall distribution during the monsoon season,” he said yesterday.

Based on his observation, especially in Terengganu, most of the drainage systems are not linked to huge drains and river systems which trapped water during heavy rains.

The drains are dirty, with grass and other plants growing wildly in the watery ecosystem, he added.

He said unplanned development could also cause flooding, especially in densely populated areas.

“Flash flooding is bound to happen even with the government allocating millions of ringgit every time there is a flood for repair of the drainage system, river deepening and other flood mitigation projects.

“This happens due to usage of land that is not planned which causes the drainage system and the river to be shallow.”

On climate change, he said it had led to an increase in world temperatures causing the sea level to rise.

“This situation further worsens flooding as high tides prevent the flow of water out to sea,” he added.

Hafizan urged the authorities to pay heed to these factors if changes are to be made to prevent people suffering huge losses due to floods.