Flood warning programme can predict flood in 70 per cent of country’s river basins

0

KUALA LUMPUR: The National Flood Forecasting and Warning Programme (PRABN), currently being developed by the government, is able to predict floods in 70 percent of river basin areas nationwide, the Dewan Rakyat was told yesterday.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said the three-phase project which began in 2015 and was expected to be completed by 2022, was also able to forecast heavy rain seven days prior, and flood two days before it occurred.

“Therefore, the National Disaster Management Agency can provide early warning to the authorities and flood preparedness can also be improved.

“Following this, the public can also be informed (on the flood warning) two days earlier, so that they can move (evacuate) early,” he said in reply to a supplementary question from Datuk Seri Irmohizam Ibrahim (BN-Kuala Selangor) on PRABN during the question-and-answer session here today.

He said the project costing about RM550 million involved 40 river basins throughout the country.

Replying to a supplementary question from Dr Tan Seng Giaw (DAP-Kepong) who wanted to know about the ministry’s move in enhancing cooperation on flood management works between states, Wan Junaidi said a national-level committee would be formed to coordinate the matter.

“Actually, authorities in each state already have their own SOPs (standard operating procedures), thus, the committee will look at the SOPs so that works (on flood disaster management) can be coordinated,” he said. — Bernama