The increasing frequency of extreme weather events, droughts and floods is in line with what climate scientists have been predicting for decades — and evidence is mounting that what’s happening is more severe than predicted, and will get far worse still if we fail to act.
David Suzuki, Canadian academic, science broadcaster and environmental activist
Malaysians are currently on the alert for floods as now is the landas (wet or monsoon) season which is expected to last until March next year.
There are two monsoon seasons in Malaysia — the southwest monsoon from late May to September and the northeast monsoon from October to March. The northeast monsoon brings more rainfall compared to the Southwest Monsoon.
If you have been complaining about the incessant rain lately, wait until January next year. The Malaysian Meteorological Department has predicted that Sarawak is likely to receive higher than average rainfall next month.
So, if you are celebrating the Lunar New Year which falls on January 25, 2020, expect a wet Chinese New Year.
Flooding during the landas is an annual event in Sarawak. In severe cases, people have to be evacuated from flood-hit homes to flood relief centres elsewhere. These centres are usually schools.
The Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Ministry has made preparations to help flood victims.
Its minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah told a press conference earlier this month that the authorities have prepared food supplies, logistical needs and relocation/relief centres.
According to her, 17 forward bases located throughout the state were set up to ensure fast delivery of aid to the victims. The bases were set up in flood-prone rural areas in Kuching, Kapit, Bintulu and Miri divisions.
She said the government was spending RM185,980 on basic food supplies and transportation. Various services such as counselling and health screening would also be set up, especially for senior citizens in relocation centres.
Utilising social media and advancements in communication technologies, the public is kept updated on flood situations in the state.
Fatimah has also advised parents to monitor their children’s activities and make sure they do not play in rivers or flooded areas to avoid any unwanted incidents.
Now, because of improved drainage systems and embankments along rivers, the effects of floods in some urban areas have not been so severe.
This was confirmed by a Malay friend who lives in a village on the other side of the river across from Kuching City. She said they had no more floods after embankments were built along the river. In the olden days, she said, flood waters would bring unwanted visitors like snakes and even crocodiles to their doorsteps.
Newspapers have reported about house owners complaining about floods in their compounds whenever it rained during the current Landas season.
If you are unfortunate to own such a house, what can you do? Bear with it, I guess, until you can afford another house in a better and higher location.
If you are thinking of buying a house for the first time, avoid the flood-prone areas.
One of my friends told me that her area could get flooded suddenly. The water level could rise so quickly that house owners do not have time to move their belongings such as refrigerators, sofas, etc. to higher ground.
Many of those who live in flood-prone areas have learnt through bitter experiences not to store anything on the ground floor if they live in double-storey houses. Others prefer to build their houses on stilts.
During the landas, the prices of fresh fish and seafood in the cities and towns are expensive because fishermen cannot go out to sea. Those who are not particular make do with frozen fish from cold storage facilities.
Reports of missing fishermen and anglers are also common at this time of the year. So, it is better not to venture out too far to sea.
The state government is encouraging fishermen and families to go for fresh water fish and cultured prawns instead of being too dependent the marine kind.
Alternative sources of income are important so that fishermen can support themselves and their families, especially during the monsoon period.
During landas, if you work in a city or town, you must bring an umbrella with you wherever you go because of the unpredictable weather. Sometimes, it may rain the whole day and you don’t want to be caught unprepared.
Business is brisk at the laundries in the cities and towns because clothes need longer time to dry during the landas. Visit a laundry if you don’t believe me.
Landas, oh, landas. Having lived all my life with you, I have learnt not to complain about you. I love Sarawak and since you are part of the weather in Sarawak, I accept you as part of my life.
