Research Findings On Reducing Damages Caused By Natural Disasters To Be Tabled In Cabinet - Yap

Findings of the first research and development for reducing geo-hazard damage in Malaysia caused by landslide and floods will be tabled to the Cabinet soon, said Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Mary Yap Kain Ching.

The research has proposed an advanced landslide and flood disaster risk management trial system, which will lead to an early action rescue plan, she said.

"This will save a lot of lives and prevent property damages worth millions of ringgit," she said, adding that the five-year collaborative research initiative was the first Science and Technology Research Partnership For Sustainable Development (SATREPS) project in Malaysia.

The high-impact study is conducted under the partnership between the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) with local universities and related government agencies.

Speaking to reporters after handing over the research to the Public Works Department (Slope Division) and Department of Irrigation and Drainage representative here today, Yap said the study was relevant for a more effective disaster management and preparedness in the country.

"We are impressed with the research since it involves the welfare of the whole country, and this will be our contribution to the safety and security of the people.

"Early warning system developed by the project is expected to be considered as a risk communication tool for use in the administration and the local communities in the country," she added.

Meanwhile, the project director Prof Dr Habibah Lateh of Universiti Sains Malaysia said the prototype system was aimed at early warning system and hazard risk map of landslides and floods in Peninsular Malaysia.

She said the early warning system for landslide had three stages - yellow, red and green - based on prediction calculations stimulated with rainfall, slope angle and soil.

"For floods, there is a direct forecast based on satellite images and volume of rainfall. The study has also identified places where people can go to, and suggested roads for safest and fastest evacuation," she explained.

"The main objective is to help the people because each time there is flood or landslide, there are repercussions in terms of life, property and the economy," she said.

Currently, the trial project for landslide monitoring is already in place at the East-West Highway Slopes (44.4KM and 70.2KM), Jeli and Kenyir in Kelantan while the flood monitoring is located at the Kelantan river basin and Dungun river basin, she said.

-- BERNAMA