AWAM International Conference on Civil Engineering 2019 (AICCE'19) - Nibong Tebal - Malaysia (2019-08-21)

Integrating Structural and Non-Structural Flood Management Measures for Greater Effectiveness in Flood Loss Reduction in the Kelantan River Basin, Malaysia
Malaysia is a flood-prone country, with seasonal Monsoon floods bringing significantly losses. In terms of flood management, the country’s predominant official response strategy is based on a technology-centred approach based on structural measures such as building flood-control dams, levees, embankments, tidal gates and others. However, the application of structural measures addresses only the technical aspects of floods but has left out engagement of public/victims. When local communities are not engaged, they fail to understand structural measures and this leads to lack of confidence, rendering these measures ineffective. This has the counter effect of leading to greater flood loss. In contrast, non-structural measures, many of which are traditional methods, have been employed for centuries by the locals. As a result of long adaptation, locals respond effectively to floods with traditional non-structural measures. These are relatively cost-effective, require a short time to implement and supplement structural measures well. Hence, balancing non-structural measures with official structural strategies is vital. Non-structural measures engage the people/victims, involving them in all phases of the disaster cycle. A combination of structural and non-structural measures is the way forward, as this ensures that government structural measures are effectively supported by public-engaged non-structural measures, both working in tandem.
Professor Ngai Weng Chan, Professor Aminuddin i Ab Ghani, Professor Narimah Samat, Dr. Nik Norma Nik Hasan, Dr. Mou Leong Tan