The total cost for repairing roads damaged by the first wave of floods triggered by the northeast monsoon has been estimated at Rm312.1mil, says Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi.

He said the estimated figure includes Rm247mil for federal road maintenance, Rm40.3mil for federal road slope repairs and Rm24.8mil for state roads.

Nanta said the cost has yet to be finalised and the ministry continues to assess the extent of damage and overall repair costs.

“The final cost will be submitted soon. Meanwhile, my team and I have been on the ground assisting those affected by the first wave of floods,” he told reporters after officiating the National Technical Profession Day 2024 celebration yesterday.

In his speech, Nanta urged technical professionals to ensure projects are completed according to specifications and within set timelines without requiring extensions.

Meeting these requirements, he said, was in line with the government’s agenda to curb wastage and resource mismanagement.

Nanta pointed to Budget 2025 where out of the Rm423bil allocated, Rm88bil was for development expenditure.

“A significant portion of this amount is earmarked for national infrastructure and facilities development. This requires involvement and contributions from technical professionals.

“Their expertise in analysis, problem-solving and providing professional advice is crucial to delivering the best services,” he said.

Nanta also touched on the importance of technical professionals mastering English, communication skills, project management, problem-solving, creative thinking and innovation and leadership, especially as Malaysia attracts investments in technology-based industries.

Paras air yang meningkat dengan cepat akibat hujan lebat sejak Isnin lalu mengingatkan semula penduduk Kampung Limau Kasturi di sini dengan peristiwa ‘bah kuning’ yang melanda penempatan mereka 10 tahun lalu.

Penduduk, Siti Zubaidah Udin, 64, berkata air dari Sungai Kerak melimpah ke penempatan berhampiran sedalam kira-kira dua meter dan hampir menyamai situasi yang pernah dialami sewaktu banjir besar 2014.

“Dalam tempoh tiga jam sahaja air dari Jambatan Kerak sampai ke rumah penduduk. Kami bukan sahaja terputus jalan perhubungan malah mula cemas memikirkan air mungkin terus naik jika hujan masih berlanjutan.

“Keadaan banjir kali ini berbeza sewaktu gelombang pertama baru-baru ini kerana ketika itu paras sungai naik secara perlahan. Dalam tempoh tiga jam air dari Jambatan Kerak sampai ke rumah penduduk berdepan semula banjir 2014,” katanya di Pusat Pemindahan Sementara (PPS) Sekolah Kebangsaan Limau Kasturi, kelmarin.

Siti Zubaidah berkata walaupun bencana besar itu sudah lama berlalu, dia masih trauma bahkan gelombang kedua banjir membuatkannya bertambah resah kerana kesihatannya mudah merosot pada musim tengkujuh ini disebabkan menghidap asma.

Ahmad Ab Rahman, 46, berkata limpahan air sungai mula masuk ke laluan kampung pada jam 8 pagi dan siren amaran banjir terus mengeluarkan bunyi menandakan paras air semakin meningkat di penempatan mereka.

Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Pembangunan dan Keselamatan Kampung Persekutuan (JPKKP) Kampung Limau Kasturi Aluwi Muda berkata susulan kejadian itu hampir 3,000 penduduk terjejas dan terputus hubungan.

Sementara itu, portal infobanjir.water.gov.my, Jabatan Pengairan dan Saliran (JPS) merekodkan hanya satu sungai di Gua Musang berada pada paras waspada iaitu Sungai Galas di Limau Kasturi dengan bacaan 57.88 meter.

THE flash flood that swept through Presint 11, Putrajaya on Dec 8 has raised questions about the resilience of urban infrastructure in the face of climate change.

Despite being a meticulously planned city with rainwater retention ponds and a systematic drainage system, Putrajaya could not escape the devastating effects of an hour-long downpour.

According to the Malaysian Meteorological Department, rainfall intensity has increased by 40% over the past five years with heavier and more frequent storms becoming the norm.

Driven by climate change, this alarming trend underscores the vulnerability of urbanised regions to extreme weather events. Global warming has significantly altered rainfall patterns as rising sea temperatures accelerate evaporation rates, producing more intense rainfall over shorter periods.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has highlighted that tropical regions like Malaysia are particularly susceptible to such phenomena.

But heavy rainfall alone does not fully explain the recurring flash floods in urban areas. Uncontrolled urbanisation exacerbates the problem by replacing permeable natural surfaces with impermeable concrete, preventing rainwater from seeping into the ground.

Putrajaya, Malaysia’s administrative capital, was designed with significant green spaces, including 38% of its area dedicated to parks, lakes and wetlands, such as the 600ha man-made Putrajaya Lake, which helps moderate the local climate.

However, recent urbanisation and infrastructure development have strained its drainage system. In the past two decades, according to research by the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID), this urban sprawl has increased surface runoff by 35%, overwhelming its drainage system and causing flash floods.

The Town and Country Planning Act 1976 (Act 172) grants local authorities the power to regulate development and urges stricter control over land use activities.

The continuous disposal of waste into drains remains a major cause of flash floods too. Often caused by domestic waste generated by residents, clogged drains have severe impacts, especially in residential and commercial areas. Flash floods in cities like Ipoh have been characterised by dirty, oily floodwaters, raising public health concerns.

Moreover, ageing and inefficient drainage systems often fail to handle the increased water volume.

The Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Act 2007 (Act 672) emphasises the responsibility of local authorities in waste management. However, community-level compliance remains low, exacerbating the issue.

A holistic approach is essential to address these challenges. Urban planning must prioritise sustainable development, integrating green infrastructure like green roofs made from waterabsorbent materials, and drains and pedestrian pathways made with permeable pavements.

Cities like Singapore offer valuable lessons with initiatives such as the ABC Waters Program successfully incorporating water-absorbing features into urban designs.

Malaysia has made strides with its National Green Technology Policy (2009), but the implementation must expand to cover a wider range of urban areas.

Collaborative efforts among authorities, communities and the private sector is crucial. Strict development controls, regular maintenance of drainage systems, and the adoption of eco-friendly technologies are crucial in mitigating flash floods.

Equally important is public awareness. Educating communities about waste management and the impact of littering on drainage systems is vital for sustainable urban living.

Cities, including Putrajaya, must strive to balance modernisation with environmental stewardship to ensure long-term resilience against climate-related challenges. Flash floods are no longer isolated incidents but warning signs of a changing climate. With concerted efforts and innovative solutions, Malaysia can pave the way for a sustainable and resilient urban future.

KUALA LUMPUR: Over 24,000 rescuers are on standby for a possible second wave of floods amid the northeast monsoon season, says Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming.

Among them are 13,556 firefighters, 8,421 volunteer officers and 2,147 auxiliary officers, he said.

“In total, 24,873 personnel have been deployed in preparation for the northeast monsoon,” he told reporters at a briefing on the Fire and Rescue Department’s flood preparation strategies at Hang Tuah Fire Station here yesterday.

He said beginning Dec 1, all firefighters were not allowed to go on leave.

“As of Wednesday morning, the total number of flood victims has been reduced and some relief centres have been closed,” he said.

Nga said the government had approved the procurement of 231 new rescue vehicles with an allocation of Rm40mil under Budget 2025.

“This includes the purchase of 200 units of Operational Light Vehicles for emergency use, Heavy Duty and Light Fire Fighting Vehicles, as well as the replacement of five Canine Rescue Tender units,” he added.

To complement the procurement of the new vehicles, Nga said a total of Rm33.69mil was earmarked for maintenance.

He also said that the department is set to receive 30 new fire engines worth Rm60mil from China.

Nga said the allowance for volunteer firefighting teams would also be increased from RM3,000 to RM5,000.

At the briefing, Fire and Rescue Department director-general Datuk Nor Hisham Mohammad said a total of 985 land and water assets have been mobilised for flood operations nationwide.

The Malaysian Meteorological Department has forecast the onset of a second wave of floods within two weeks, starting from Dec 7.