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Flooding and Climate Change: Everything You Need to Know

As global warming continues to exacerbate sea level rise and extreme weather, our nation’s floodplains are expected to grow by approximately 45 per cent by century’s end. Here’s how climate change plays a role in flooding, and how we can better keep our heads above water. 

What is a flood?

A flood is the accumulation of water over normally dry land. It’s caused by the overflow of inland waters (like rivers and streams) or tidal waters, or by an unusual accumulation of water from sources such as heavy rains or dam or levee breaches.

Climate Change and Flooding

According to the World Bank, flooding contributes more damage than any other natural hazard in the country. Its 2021 climate risk country risk profile noted that the frequency and extremity of flood events in Malaysia have increased in recent decades, and is projected to continue increasing due to global warming.

Based on Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) records, there has been no significant change in the current average annual rainfall rate in Malaysia compared to five or 10 years ago. However, the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change‘s (IPCC) assessment reports from 2013, and 2021 forecasts that a temperature increase of 1ºC can cause total rainfall to increase by 7%, says MetMalaysia.

Recognising this, the department explains that areas receiving a relatively high amount of rainfall are at risk for floods, flash floods, landslides and other water-related adverse events.

“The effects of heavy rainfall can also result in the movement of soil structures, water overflows and landslides that cause heavy flooding such as what has happened in Yan, Kedah recently,” its director-general Muhammad Helmi Abdullah tells Sunday Star in a written interview.

Muhammad Helmi explains that increasing temperature trends in Malaysia over the past few years, although not drastic, can nevertheless still have an impact on the weather conditions of our country.

How Does Climate Change Lead to Flooding?

These are some of the key ways climate change increases flood risks.

The effects of climate change can lead to rising temperatures, which subsequently change weather patterns and allow the occurrence of more severe forest fires, heatwaves and haze. This situation is exacerbated if open burning and forest burning are not controlled, he explains.

Changing weather patterns can lead to other extreme weather conditions such as the occurrence of stronger thunderstorms, hail, water spouts and landslides.

“Malaysia has the potential to face new weather phenomena, including extreme weather if global warming and environmental pollution are not addressed properly. For example, rare weather phenomena such as small tornadoes, water horns, unusually strong thunderstorms and heat waves are beginning to hit the country frequently due to rising temperatures,” he says.

Thunderstorms and extremely heavy rains have led to major floods before, for example in Johor in 2006 and 2007, and Kelantan in 2014.

While some natural disasters are not preventable, the impact of death and property destruction can be minimised with knowledge, planning and early preparation, says Muhammad Helmi, who adds that members of the public can access the latest weather information issued by MetMalaysia at its website and social media pages.

MetMalaysia is currently developing and increasing the capacity of its disaster early warning systems, with a focus on improving monitoring, analysis, forecasting, and dissemination of information systems. Efforts are also underway to increase the number of observation and radar stations.

Muhammad Helmi says that all Malaysians can play their part to reduce the effects of climate change by minimising the use of fossil-based energy by reducing electricity consumption and utilising public transport. We must also avoid open burning, irresponsible disposal of waste, avoid single-use plastics and adopt a sustainable lifestyle.

Sources: https://www.shariahscreener.com/articles/Climate-Change-and-Flooding

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