Prepared by: Asmita Dahal, GRIT
Introduction
Monsoon floods continue to occur in Sabah, Malaysia, and create significant impacts. Sabah experiences heavy rainfall between November and March during the Monsoon season, being located in the northern part of Borneo. These floods affect thousands of people, cause widespread devastation, disturb livelihoods, and leave everlasting scars on the economy and environment (Malaysian Meteorological Department, 2023). This report explores the causes, effects, and management of monsoon floods in Sabah (Sabah Disaster Management Committee Reports, 2021-2023).
Causes of Monsoon Floods
The preliminary causes of monsoon floods in Sabah are:
- The Northeast Monsoon causes long-lasting and heavy rainfall. It often goes beyond the land's ability to absorb water. Hence, this causes flooding. (World Bank, 2021).
- Sabah's mountainous terrain feeds rainwater into lowlands. This increases the risk of flooding (Department of Irrigation and Drainage Malaysia, 2021).
- Haphazard deforestation for agriculture and urbanization declines the land's natural ability to absorb water, maximizing flood risks (World Bank, 2021).
- Improper urban planning, with inadequate drainage systems, often leads to saturation during heavy rainfall (Sabah Disaster Management Committee Reports, 2021-2023).
Impacts of Floods
The monsoon floods have diverse impacts:
- The monsoon floods destroy residential homes, displacing thousands of residents. The flood victims suffer from deaths, injuries, and mental health challenges because of flooding. (Department of Irrigation and Drainage Malaysia, 2021).
- Floods affect agriculture, fisheries, and small businesses, causing significant financial problems. Damaged infrastructure must be repaired, further increasing the economic burden (Sabah Disaster Management Committee Reports, 2021-2023).
- Floodwaters cause long-term ecological impacts by eroding soil, damaging forests, and polluting water bodies (World Bank, 2021).
- Floods can lead to epidemics such as dengue, fever, and cholera, as stagnant floodwaters become major causes of disease (Malaysian Meteorological Department, 2023).
Case Studies and Statistics
The severity of the problem is highlighted by the recent flooding news in Sabah:
- 2021 Floods: Heavy rains flooded towns and villages, causing huge damage to homes and crops, and over 5,000 people were displaced (Sabah Disaster Management Committee Reports, 2021-2023).
- Economic Impact: Flood-related damages have a huge economic impact, with an estimated annual cost of millions of Malaysian Ringgit. Indirect costs, such as loss of productivity, add to the burden (World Bank, 2021).
Flood Management and Mitigation
Efforts have been made to manage and mitigate flood risks in Sabah. Some of the efforts are:
- Early Warning Systems: Improved weather forecasting and flood warning systems can help residents prepare for emergencies (Malaysian Meteorological Department, 2023).
- Infrastructure Development: Flood risks can be reduced by building flood barriers, improving drainage systems, and creating watershed areas (Department of Irrigation and Drainage Malaysia, 2021).
- Community Engagement: Awareness can be spread by educating residents about flood preparedness and involving local communities in disaster management activities. (Sabah Disaster Management Committee Reports, 2021-2023).
- Reforestation Projects: Afforestation in barren lands can help restore forested areas, improving water absorption and minimizing soil erosion (World Bank, 2021).
Challenges and Recommendations
Challenges still remain despite all the efforts:
- Funding Limitations: Insufficient resources and funds decelerate the implementation of large-scale projects designed for flood mitigation. (Department of Irrigation and Drainage Malaysia, 2021).
- Climate Change: Weather patterns are becoming increasingly unpredictable, worsening flood risks (Malaysian Meteorological Department, 2023).
- Urban Growth: The natural environment is strained as urban areas expand rapidly (Sabah Disaster Management Committee Reports, 2021-2023).
Recommendations for future actions include:
- Integrated Flood Management: A holistic approach can be taken, combining engineering solutions with community-based measures (World Bank, 2021).
- Policy Enforcement: Stronger laws and regulations can further assist in controlling deforestation and promoting sustainable development (Department of Irrigation and Drainage Malaysia, 2021).
- International Collaboration: Partnership can be enhanced with neighboring countries and global organizations for expertise and funding (Sabah Disaster Management Committee Reports, 2021-2023).
Conclusion
Monsoon floods in Sabah are complicated issues that require collaborative efforts from government agencies, local communities, and international partners. Despite the challenges, implementing preventive measures can definitely reduce the impact of these disasters to some extent. This can also ensure the safety and well-being of Sabah's residents (World Bank, 2021). This report aims to provide some insights into the monsoon floods occurring in Sabah, helping stakeholders make and implement effective strategies to address this serious issue.
References
- Malaysian Meteorological Department. (2022, August 15). Monsoon trends and flood warnings in Sabah. Retrieved from https://www.met.gov.my/sabah
- Othman, R. (2019). Flood management in tropical climates: Strategies and case studies from Sabah, Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Green Earth Publishing.
- Rahman, A., & Ismail, M. (2020). An analysis of monsoon‐induced flooding in Sabah: Trends, impacts, and mitigation measures. Journal of Environmental Management, 62(3), 345–367. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.01.003
- Sabah State Government, Department of Irrigation and Drainage. (2021). Annual report on monsoon floods in Sabah, Malaysia. Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia: Author.
- World Meteorological Organization. (2021). Extreme weather events and climate resilience in Southeast Asia: Monsoon floods. Retrieved from https://public.wmo.int/en/resources