SHAH ALAM, April 30 — Extreme rainfall and current difficulties in predicting weather are among the biggest challenges in hydrology due to global climate change, said Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) hydrologist Siti Nurhidayu Abu Bakar.
The expert said drastic hydrology patterns mean flood control is getting more difficult.
“(This) includes unpredictable rainy and dry seasons and high-intensity, abnormal rain within a short period,” she told Media Selangor.
Hydrology is an environmental science covering the formation, content and movement of water be it atmospherically, above or below the earth’s surface, and at sea.
Siti Nurhidayu said rising surface temperatures also contribute to increased extreme rainfall, which in turn increases urban flash flood risks.
She added that existing drainage system designs only considered rainfall, temperature rises, and weather changes, which means these systems are insufficient now.
“Sudden, hard-to-predict, heavy rain often exceeds existing drainage system capacities. Water flow patterns aren’t as before,” said the UPM Forestry and Environment Faculty lecturer.
Siti Nurhidayu said climate adaptation must be integrated into these systems, without depending on conventional approaches, by transitioning to more resilient adaptive strategies to address flooding.
She added that among these strategies is the sponge city concept, which emphasises green infrastructure practices over concrete structures and encourages the establishment of green spaces, urban parks, green roofs, and the use of porous surfaces to increase ground rain absorption rates.
She also said sponge cities make open spaces like fields and parks temporary retention areas during heavy rain, which decreases pressure on drainage systems.
“This approach not only reduces surface water flow, but helps retain water naturally before it can be released or reused sustainably,” Siti Nurhidayu explained.
In Selangor’s context, she said most flood mitigation projects in the state are under construction, with some to be completed only by 2030.
She added that among the main weaknesses of such projects is unpredictable extreme weather that contribute to difficulties in managing flash floods.
“These projects are planned for long-term flood mitigation, but right now, they cannot yet fully manage flash floods,” said Siti Nurhidayu.
