Malaysia is no stranger to its yearly gully-washer of a visitor. We’re talking about the monsoon season and torrential downpour between October and March, usually posing the risk of flooding in both East and West Malaysia.  

Despite it being a common occurrence to some Malaysians, the same cannot be said for areas that were once considered safe from such natural disasters. This is due to the incapacitating climate change and rising urbanisation, which has led to flooding even at unlikely areas. This has been proven as more and more cities find themselves underwater in recent times. 

This three-part blog will put your flood preparedness to the test and serve as your guide to staying safe when sudden, unexpected flooding strikes! Take a read, and stay tuned for Parts 2 and 3, coming in the next two days!

Ready, Set, Prep! Get Flood-Ready 

Prevention is always better than rescue. That said, you should always know your risks! Keep one eye on the sky and the other on your phone. Check flood warnings from local authorities and stay updated with weather forecasts by the Malaysian Meteorological Department, especially when it feels like you’re getting drenched by the rain a little too often for your liking.

Want to take precautions up a notch? Download live weather apps like MyCuaca, Clime, or Windy for real-time alerts, because who doesn’t love a timely weather heads-up? 

An emergency, flood-ready kit can be a lifesaver in more ways than you can imagine! What should be on our checklist, you may ask? A physical copy of emergency contacts (just in case your phone battery goes MIA), power bank and charger to stay connected, and a battery-operated torchlight and radio. Psst, don’t forget to stock up on extra batteries for backup power!

Other than that, you don’t want to skip your essential meds, a first aid kit, and enough bottled water (4L per person, per day) along with canned goods to keep you fueled for three days minimum. Store important documents (think birth certificates, insurance, passports!) in a waterproof bag, and grab spare keys for your home and car. Got kids or pets? Pack their essentials too, and you’ll thank yourself later! 

To make your flood-preparedness game more solid, prepare for the unforeseen with a family evacuation plan! Start by picking a shelter spot and mapping out an escape route that everyone knows by heart. Don’t forget your furry friends (or scaly friends, if you’re into that…) they need a safety plan too!

Set up a way to stay connected if you’re split up from your family, stash important documents somewhere secure, and move valuables to higher ground to keep them safe and dry. With these steps in place, you’ll be ready to face any storm that comes your way! 

Part 2 is coming tomorrow so stay tuned!

Words to learn:

gully-washer –a short, heavy rainstorm, also known as a cloudburst

torrential – (of rain) falling rapidly and in copious quantities
                        (of water) flowing rapidly and with force

incapacitating – prevent from functioning in a normal way

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