Correlation between Flash Floods and Variable Improper Drainage Systems: Experiences Impacts of Flash Floods from Bandar Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia

Abstract

A flash flood is frequently experienced by Malaysians every single year, normally happening in a city such as Kuala Lumpur and Bandar Kuching. The problem statement of the research is the impacts of a failure of the drainage system to support the amount of rainwater during heavy rainfall to the residents of Bandar Kuching. The objectives of this research are to identify correlations between flash floods and improper drainage systems in Bandar Kuching and to recommend mitigations to minimize any flash floods incident in Bandar Kuching. For research methodology, the research adopted mixed methods. For the quantitative method, the questionnaires (Google Forms) are distributed to the residents of Bandar Kuching, who have affected the flash floods in the past, while the results are analyzed via Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). For the qualitative method, the top managers of the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) and Local Authority (PBT) are interviewed, and the script of the interview is analyzed by using Content Analysis Using Matrix Table. For Objective 1, the Factor of Flora Cover Interception of Rainwater by Trees is the highest (mean 4.5357) and the lowest (standard deviation 0.59001). For Objective 2, it can be summarized that the variable of failure to support rainwater and the variable of improper management and unsystematic, the variable of minimizing negative impacts, and the variable of maximizing efficiency have a strong and positive correlation as their significant value (2-tailed) is ˂ 0.05. For Objective 3, some recommendations are suggested such as return on investment (ROI) and town planning and development. Through this research, it could maximize the efficiency of a drainage system and minimize flash flood in Bandar Kuching.