DID Enhances Selangor Flood Early Warning System, PRAB Phase 2 To Be Ready This October

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 20 (Bernama) -- The Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) emphasised that Selangor’s disaster early warning system is being continuously enhanced, with ongoing efforts to strengthen its effectiveness.

Its director-general Mohamad Radzi Abdul Talib said Phase 2 of the Flood Forecasting and Warning Programme (PRAB) in Selangor - which involves the installation of 280 stations - is now in its final stages of development and is expected to be fully completed by Oct 25.

“The department analysed 28 thunderstorm warnings issued by MetMalaysia between Sept 10 and 18 and generated detailed information on areas expected to experience heavy to very heavy rainfall, which was shared at the state DID level.

“For the same period, the flood forecast model did not indicate any risk of flooding in Selangor, which explains why no flood warnings were widely issued in the state,” he said in a statement today.

He said this in response to a local media report titled  ‘Apa Jadi Dengan Sistem Amaran Awal Bencana?’ (What happened to the disaster early warning system?) published last Thursday.

According to Mohamad Radzi, the department took note of a statement by Selangor MCA regarding the effectiveness of the disaster early warning system following floods in several areas between Sept 10 and 15.

He explained that the National Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (PRABN) issues real-time updates on river water levels and rainfall nationwide via the Public Info Banjir portal, which is refreshed every 15 minutes and accessible to the public. The same data is also shared directly with the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) through the National Disaster Command Centre (NDCC).

In terms of preparedness, Mohamad Radzi said the hydrodynamic flood forecast model for Selangor’s five main river basins - Sungai Bernam, Sungai Selangor, Sungai Buloh, Sungai Klang and Sungai Langat - was completed on June 27.

As for the siren system, he said that of the 104 stations under Selangor PRAB Phase 2, 16 stations in Gombak and Hulu Selangor were connected to the Public Info Banjir platform, and all were recorded to be in normal status between Sept 1 and 18.

“The DID consistently ensures that all siren stations remain functional, with periodic maintenance carried out to keep the system operating at an optimum level,” he said.

The department also reaffirmed its commitment to further enhancing the disaster early warning system in collaboration with various agencies and stakeholders, while remaining open to constructive feedback to strengthen Selangor’s resilience against natural disasters.

-- BERNAMA