The characteristics of road inundation during flooding events in peninsular Malaysia

Abstract

Flooding can cause damage to infrastructure and has a devastating impact on daily life. Malaysia is located in a tropical region characterized by high quantity of rainfall. Damaged roads due to flooding prevent access for emergency and assistance purpose. The purpose of this study is to identify the flooding characteristics of inundated roads in Malaysia. It includes the parameters of flood water level, flood duration, and repeated flooding. Secondary data from relevant departments and agencies are gathered for the analysis. Flood statistics were obtained from the annual flood reports issued by the Department of Irrigation and Drainage Malaysia between 1991 and 2014. Road data as well as maps were collected from the Highway Planning Division, Ministry of Works Malaysia. In this study, flash flood was defined as flood that subsides in less than 6 hr. The study revealed that the average flood depths could be grouped into 0.3 m, 0.6 m and 1.0 m depths. However, in areas under tidal effect, the depths could exceed 1.0 m and it took longer for the flood to subside, up to two days. The result of this characterisation will be used to expand the study on the effect of inundated roads during flooding on the whole road structural system.