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Floodplain Management in Malaysia
17-Nov-2010
BMT WBM are conducting several flood management studies in Sabah, Malaysia on the island of Borneo. This established presence is part of a collaborative arrangement with local consulting engineering companies, Jurutera Saba Perunding (JSP) and Perunding Puncak Anugerah S/B.
Successful floodplain management is a difficult task, requiring management of a multitude of concerns ranging from the physical processes of flooding to land use planning and social and community expectations. The study team, consisting of a combination of local and international staff, is well on the way to setting the benchmark for floodplain management in Malaysia. With advanced technical skills and a wealth of knowledge gained from floodplain management studies in Australia, BMT WBM’s inputs have provided a new perspective; the challenge now is to successfully adapt this to the local situation.
Mr Wedge Hong, Partner of JSP, says that “In the past, most of the approaches to flood management in Sabah have been structural, but with limited success. All such approaches were totally dependent on government’s funding and intervention and are not sustainable. With the new approach of integrating the structural and planning approach, both the community and government can derive visible benefits from it. The response from local government and politicians has been very positive. Decision makers appreciate the quality and clarity of the information provided; they are listening and asking the right questions. I see real change resulting from the work we are doing”.
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| 6 January 1999 flooding in Donggongon and Donggongon | Today |
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| Evacuation of local residents during flooding of Moyog River in 1999 (http://www.icharm.pwri.go.jp/training/2005-pdf/9_miklin.pdf) | |
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| The flood challenge; can you construct a flood gauge for less than AUD$18? |