Besut floods: Development, climate change contributing factors to worsening floods, say experts

SHAH ALAM - Besut district in Terengganu has recorded three times more rainfall in a short span of time causing flash floods, said National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) Malaysia.

Its Head of Corporate Communications Datin Nur Daliza Dohat said even though they can predict the timing of the rain, the intensity remains unknown.

“We cannot tell the intensity of the rain”, she told Sinar Daily.

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Prof Dr Azmi Hassan said that there are three reasons for floods in Besut.

The first was due to heavy rain in a short span of time and secondly stormwater runoff or when rain falls on roads, driveways, parking lots, rooftops and other paved surfaces that do not allow water to soak into the ground.

The third reason was due to poorly maintained drainage.

He said that the heavy rain exceeded expectations, not only in Besut, but in other parts of Malaysia.

"Aside from that, development may be a reason why floods occur in a short period of time, preventing water from penetrating the ground," he explained.

He also said that the monsoon season and climate change were contributing factors to this natural disaster.

“People should understand that we are facing the monsoon season and climate change,” he added.

Forty-six roads in four districts in the state were still closed due to floods since Dec 17.

The four districts are Hulu Terengganu, Setiu, Kemaman and Besut.

Nadma recorded a total of 72,691 flood victims in five states namely 41,021 victims in Terengganu, Kelantan (31,316), Pahang (252), Perak (54) and Johor (48) as of 10am on Wednesday.