Assessment of Flood Events in Selangor, Malaysia

Abstract

Selangor has been experiencing floods, especially in the urban area, causing property damages and economic
losses. The increase of population in the state has resulted in people and development luring in floodplains. This study
investigated the frequency of flooding in a local municipality within Selangor to understand its trend in promoting disaster
risk reduction for community resilience. The study performed a content analysis to gather and assess event data from open
sources. The search of these data was broadened to the whole Selangor before being narrowed down to recent December
2021 events in Kajang Town. This is followed by trend and spatial analysis using the Kernel Density method using the
Geographical Information System (GIS) to develop a flood concentration area. This study revealed that almost 150 flood
occurrences had happened in Selangor from 2012 until 2021. In December 2021 during the Selangor Great Flood, Kajang
Town has also been severely affected, with a total record of about 20 events in Kajang Municipality and four (4) were
reported to be in Kajang Town, all are within high flood potential area. An area of flood concentration was developed from
the Kernel Density with very high, high and moderate concentrations accounting for almost 40% of the investigated area.
Two flood clusters have been identified that are Kg. Sungai Serai Hulu Langat and Kajang Town. This study has illustrated
localised evidence-based information that offers the best options for informed decisions.