Disasters Worldwide and Floods in the Malaysian Region: A Brief Review

Abstract

Background/Objectives: To gather the information on the natural disasters occurred Worldwide from the year 2004 to 2013 Average and 2014 and emphasizes on the disaster type which has severely affected the continent Asia, particularly, Malaysia. Methods: This paper collects all the information about major overflows in the history of Malaysia and gathers the facts about the official flood loss estimates for the selected major flood events from the year 1967 to 2012. It further provides information on the general causes and effects of floods and explains about the flood mitigation measures being used in this region. Additionally, it explains about the allocation of funds for flood mitigation measures by the Malaysian government under the Malaysia plan (1971 to 2020) and enlightens the responsibility of the government agencies accountable to the mitigation measures during the flooding conditions. Findings: Experiences from past floods, demonstrate that a common hazard which causes risk of death or serious injury to the people is due to the instability of vehicles in floodwaters. Therefore, the stability of vehicles during urban flood events has aroused recent interest from the Environmental Agency in the United Kingdom and other flood management authorities around the World. However, it is still believed that there is a need of an Integrated Smart Alarm System that can be used in the flood prone regions to minimize the vehicle related fatalities. Application: To provide researchers, government agencies and decision makers etc., an overview on the most notable disaster type which has severely affected the Malaysian region.