THE current torrential downpours all through the peninsula noticed the nation battling one of many worst floods in a decade.
The Department of Statistics of Malaysia (DOSM) estimated that the floods in late December and early January prompted losses amounting to RM6.1bil.
Based on the Special Report on Impact of Floods in Malaysia launched by DOSM on case research across the Klang Valley and socio-economic statistics, the RM6.1bil losses embody injury to public belongings and infrastructure, which suffered the very best lack of RM2bil, adopted by housing (RM1.6bil) and autos (RM1bil).
The manufacturing business suffered a lack of RM900mil, adopted by enterprise premises (RM500mil) and agriculture (RM90.6mil).
CCTV pictures of the SMART tunnel after activation:
Selangor recorded the very best losses for all classes. The state authorities estimated losses brought on by floods that hit Selangor at RM1.4bil, together with RM400mil for infrastructure repairs (The Star, Feb 4 2022).
In addition, intangible losses shouldn’t have a selected financial worth, such because the 54 lives misplaced, irreversible injury to the ecosystem, enhance in infectious illnesses and a surge in Covid-19 infections amongst flood victims as reported within the media.
About 45,000 tonnes of garbage had been collected after the floods within the Klang Valley by KDEB Waste Management Sdn Bhd as of Jan 4, which is equal to the burden of 25,000 grownup elephants – a rise of three-fold in post-flood waste in comparison with pre-flood, filling up landfills and elevating air pollution dangers.
Water diversion in progress.
Beyond that, the flood chaos additionally impacted the neighborhood and infrastructure. More than 350 areas had been hit with energy cuts, with water provide disruptions in over 470 areas – which affected companies and introduced port operations and visitors to a standstill.
Disaster averted
On Dec 18 final 12 months, the Stormwater Management And Road Tunnel (SMART) diverted 5 million cubic metres of water (equal to nearly 2,000 Olympic-size swimming swimming pools), regardless of three million cubic metres being its most capability – stopping main floods within the KL metropolis centre.
This was executed by prolonging the diversion interval by way of SMART tunnel and the present retention ponds, particularly the Berembang and Taman Desa retention ponds.
The tunnel absolutely cleaned up after a water diversion operation.
If these retention ponds had been to be gotten smaller and capability to make manner for growth, the dangers of main flooding within the Klang Valley can be increased.
“SMART made the KL city centre more resilient than it was during the 1971 flood disaster, which claimed 32 lives,” stated SMART chief working officer Mohd Noor Mohd Ali.
He stated that the SMART tunnel alone might handle 45% of Klang Valley’s main floods, and with out it, the floods within the Klang Valley might have been lots worse, and town centre would have sunk on that December weekend.
Based on Department of Irrigation and Drainage Malaysia calculation, the entire injury alongside the SMART tunnel alignment throughout the current floods – equivalent to property, companies, restoration efforts, and mobilising belongings, amongst others – amounted to RM20.2mil. Without the tunnel, the injury would have been extra.
SMART tunnel reopened to visitors.
Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob stated that Shah Alam could also be getting a SMART tunnel system as an answer to mitigate floods within the space (The Star, Feb 4 2022).
The prime minister stated this was a part of measures recognized to resolve flood points nationwide, and {that a} nationwide catastrophe administration committee assembly chaired by him had heard a proposal for SMART tunnels to be constructed, particularly in high-density areas equivalent to Shah Alam.
Gamuda Berhad with its expertise constructing the SMART tunnel in Kuala Lumpur has submitted a proposal for the Shah Alam catchment.
SMART is a 9.7km-stormwater bypass tunnel, ranging from the Klang River on the north to the Kerayong River on the south. SMART is the longest tunnel within the nation and works on a four-mode system.
Since it was opened to visitors in May 2007, the SMART tunnel has diverted floodwaters on 40 events and averted an estimated RM1.4bil in public injury.
Besides that, the SMART tunnel helps to scale back visitors jams throughout day by day rush hour.
Urban resilience
SMART is touted as a visionary infrastructure constructed 14 years in the past with a sustainable, local weather change answer in thoughts. It is revolutionary and distinctive, and the design incorporates inexperienced infrastructure.
The SMART tunnel which acquired a UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour Award was recognised in 2011 for its local weather mitigation features. SMART continues to evolve and enhance its ESG worth.
SMART comes with extra options not seen in a typical motorway tunnel. There are air flow or escape shafts at 1km intervals all through the tunnel to keep up air high quality within the tunnel, and cross passages at 250m intervals alongside the motorway tunnel for emergency exits.
In the tunnel, there are 212 closed-circuit televisions (CCTVs) cameras, routed to SMART’s command centre and BARCO wall, which reveals 70 CCTVs display at one time.
The tunnel can be armed with custom-built fireplace engines. The first responder autos are specifically designed for accessibility throughout the tunnel and are outfitted to carry out obligatory fireplace and rescue emergencies.
To maximise mobility with minimal power consumption, SMART has changed its complete tunnel lighting with an energy-efficient light-emitting diode (LED) system.
The SMART tunnel partnered with navigation and telecommunications suppliers to put in Bluetooth-enabled units, often known as Waze beacons.
In 2020, 240 transmitters had been fitted alongside the 5.2km route, permitting tunnel customers to take pleasure in seamless navigation no matter telecommunications community supplier, by way of a sequence of battery-operated Bluetooth low power micro-controllers emitting wi-fi indicators.
Soon the SMART tunnel will probably be straight linked to the Tun Razak Exchange underground parking area, which might accommodate 5,000 automobile parks to spice up the upcoming worldwide enterprise district connectivity by the top of this 12 months.
The tunnel has contributed considerably to mitigating local weather change results within the metropolis centre.
SMART, a nationwide icon and delight, has attracted worldwide consideration for its revolutionary design, placing Malaysia on the map of worldwide engineering.
The tunnel has demonstrated the diploma of city growth Malaysia has achieved and is an instance for different creating international locations to emulate.
