T
he world has been changing massively over
the past few years with severe and possibly
permanent alterations to our planet’s
geological, biological and ecological systems
(Council, 2011). Rapid urbanisation coupled with
climate change caused by anthropogenic activities
are expected to increase vulnerability to disasters
causing uncertainty. The features of climate
change in the scale, frequency, severity and
unpredictability of extreme weather will continue
to grow in the coming years, and at an accelerating
pace. Human activities including immense
population growth, sprawling development and
megacities is another factor that cause threats
to the environment thus leading to disasters.
As shown in the EM-DAT International Disaster
Database (Figure 1), the natural disaster trend
worldwide increased three times between 2000
and 2009 compared with the number of disasters
between 1980 and 1989 (accuweather.com).
The Asia-Pacific region as shown in Figure 2
has been labelled as the world’s most disasterprone region, registering the largest number of
people affected, as well as the largest number
of people killed, by disasters between 2002 and
2011 (Un, 2013). Fortunately Malaysia, has not
been directly affected by serious disasters such
as earthquakes, hurricanes, typhoons, tornadoes,
tsunamis and volcanic eruption because it is
located outside the “Pacific Ring of Fire”. However,
it still has to face the wrath of nature in the form
of severe flooding. Floods are regular natural
disasters in Malaysia that occur annually during
the monsoon season. Since 1920, Malaysia has
experienced no less than 15 major flood events.
In December 2014, Malaysia was devastated by
unprecedented flood events that affected large
areas of the east coast. The flood was recorded as
the worst flood in 30 years, which led to economic
losses, failed crops and death.
The Worst Malaysian Seasonal Rain in 50 Years
Heavy seasonal rain and strong wi