Phase two of Flood Forecasting and Warning Programme expected to be fully ready in 2025

KUALA LUMPUR - The second phase of the Flood Forecasting and Warning Programme (PRAB) involving 38 major river basins is expected to be completed in stages and will be fully operational nationwide in 2025.

Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Deputy Minister Datuk Seri Huang Tiong Sii said the programme aims to develop a system that is able to forecast floods seven days in advance and issue flood warnings two days in advance.

"Based on planning, this project covers 41 major river basins nationwide and has two phases with the first phase involving three major river basins, namely the Kelantan River Basin, the Terengganu River Basin and the Pahang River Basin, which were operational in 2017," he said during the question and answer session in the Dewan Negara today.

He said this in replying to Seruandi Saad's question about the proactive measures taken by the ministry to overcome the flood problem in Malaysia which involves losses of almost RM300 billion every year.

Huang also said that the Department of Irrigation and Drainage is also building 526 flood warning siren stations in phases throughout the country which aim to warn the public to prepare to move to a safe area in case of a flood disaster.

"These stations are placed in flood hotspot locations throughout the country and early flood warnings will be issued to residents in areas likely to be affected," he said.

He added that the government is also considering the short messaging system (SMS) followed by sirens and voice announcements to further improve the efficiency of flood warning announcements. - BERNAMA