Budget 2027: RTB Projects Must Deliver Measurable Flood Risk Reduction - Experts

By Nur Syahidayah Mahasan

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 14 (Bernama) -- Proper land-use planning, regular maintenance and systematic monitoring are essential to ensuring that the three new Flood Mitigation Plan (RTB) projects under Budget 2027 effectively reduce flood risks and protect lives and property.

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) Department of Water and Environmental Engineering lecturer Prof Dr Mohd Fadhil Md Din said the government should establish clear performance indicators for each RTB project to measure its effectiveness based on tangible benefits to residents, rather than focusing solely on construction progress.

He said the indicators could include reductions in the extent of flood-prone areas, floodwater depth and inundation duration, as well as the number of residents affected and the value of economic losses avoided, while taking into account projections of extreme rainfall linked to climate change over the next 20 to 50 years.

“RTB projects can help reduce peak flood flows, floodwater levels and inundation duration, provided their designs are based on accurate hydrological analysis and take river basin conditions into account,” he told Bernama.

Mohd Fadhil added that each project must be tailored to local conditions to ensure that flood mitigation measures in one area do not increase flood risks elsewhere.

The three projects - the Kuching City Flood Mitigation Project (RTB) in Sarawak, the Sungai Golok Flood Diversion Project (Phase 2) in Kelantan and the Sungai Kemaman Flood Diversion Project in Terengganu - reflect the government’s continued efforts to strengthen the country’s resilience to flooding amid the growing risk of extreme rainfall linked to climate change.

“For the Kuching City RTB, attention must be given to the combined effects of heavy rainfall, river flows and high tides, which can affect the discharge of water into the sea. Meanwhile, flood mitigation efforts along Sungai Golok require a coordinated approach throughout all project phases, including cooperation between Malaysia and Thailand.

“The implementation of the Sungai Kemaman Flood Diversion Project must ensure that reducing flood risks in urban areas does not lead to increased flood levels or risks in downstream settlements or areas near the diversion channel,” Mohd Fadhil said.

He also proposed using two-dimensional flood modelling, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Internet of Things (IoT) sensors and weather forecast-based early warning systems to help authorities take action before water levels become critical.

“At the same time, we should combine engineering solutions with nature-based approaches, such as protecting catchment areas, restoring floodplains and creating green spaces to help manage rainwater, alongside sustainable urban drainage systems,” he said.

Meanwhile, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK) Jeli Campus director Prof Dr Aweng Eh Rak said the long-term effectiveness of flood mitigation projects also depended on changes in land use and human activities that could alter the conditions for which the projects were originally designed.

The UMK Faculty of Earth Science lecturer said increased development that reduces areas where rainwater can seep into the ground, coupled with changes in river capacity, could affect the ability of flood mitigation systems to manage water flow. He said proper catchment management was therefore equally important.

He proposed increasing areas that could absorb rainwater and gazetting natural flood retention areas, while restricting development along riverbanks and floodplains to ensure flood mitigation projects remained effective over time.

Meanwhile, UMK Faculty of Earth Science Climate, Water and Environmental Resilience Research Group head Assoc Prof Dr Mohamad Faiz Mohd Amin said flood mitigation projects must go hand in hand with regular maintenance of local drainage systems, as both were crucial to protecting lives, homes, public facilities and livelihoods.

He said the nearly RM320 million allocation to repair and upgrade slopes and drains nationwide was an important step, as properly maintained drainage systems could reduce waterlogging and the risk of flash floods.

“Regular maintenance, including clearing debris and sediment and maintaining pumps and floodgates where necessary, is important to ensure the infrastructure remains effective in the long term,” he said.

Mohamad Faiz also said RTB projects must be aligned with development planning, compliance with the Urban Stormwater Management Manual (MSMA), protection of catchment areas and preservation of natural water retention areas, while strengthening early warning systems and community preparedness.

When tabling Budget 2027 in the Dewan Rakyat on Oct 9, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said six flood mitigation projects worth RM336 million had been completed, while another 82 were progressing according to schedule.

The government has also allocated nearly RM320 million to repair and upgrade slopes and drainage systems nationwide.

--BERNAMA