Nadma: Rare Rainfall Anomaly Caused Flooding in Traditionally Low-Risk Areas

The National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) has attributed the recent wave of flooding in several states to an unusual and severe rainfall anomaly that overwhelmed areas previously classified as low-risk.

Nadma director general Meor Ismail Meor Akim said the volume of rainfall recorded over a two-day period was equivalent to the typical monthly average, causing widespread surface runoff that the ground simply could not absorb. This sudden saturation triggered flooding in locations with no prior history of such events.

“During my visit to Perlis, local authorities reported that even long-standing low-risk zones were inundated due to the extraordinary intensity of rainfall,” he said. According to data from the Department of Irrigation and Drainage, water levels at Sungai Perak did not show a significant rise, underscoring that the flooding was driven primarily by extreme precipitation rather than river overflow.

Speaking during a site assessment in Bagan Datuk on Thursday, Meor Ismail urged the public to remain alert as current weather patterns indicate persistent heavy rainfall stretching until March next year.

“We expect around seven episodes of heavy rain, and this is only the first. Residents must stay informed, follow official instructions, and evacuate immediately if early signs of flooding appear,” he said.

Highlighting the situation in Perak, he identified Bagan Datuk as a high-risk area due to its vulnerability to overflow from Sungai Perak—particularly if rain continues upstream in Hulu Perak, Kuala Kangsar and surrounding districts.

“If rainfall persists in these regions, overflow could reach Bagan Datuk within the next 24 to 48 hours. Residents should be prepared to evacuate without delay if conditions worsen,” he added.

For businesses operating logistics hubs, warehouses, or industrial property across the Klang Valley and Selangor, Nadma’s warning underscores the need to reassess flood-readiness. Companies managing industrial land in Selangor, commercial buildings in KL, or factories in flood-prone corridors are advised to strengthen mitigation planning during the coming months of unpredictable weather.