KUALA LUMPUR – The first phase of the National Flood Forecast and Warning Programme (PRAB), despite its whopping RM129 million development cost, is ineffective in warning people about floods.
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) said this is because the medium used to circulate information is not up-to-date with the current times.
“The flood forecasting accuracy rate stood low at 5.6% and could only issue warnings two days in advance, falling short of the target set in PRAB despite consuming RM129 million.
“The recommended time frame for flood warning should be seven days in advance,” the committee said in a report on the country’s flood warning programme.
Additionally, the report also states that the cost of phase 2 of PRAB, which originally amounted to RM385 million, increased to RM522 million following the addition of siren systems, web cameras, and Communication, Educational, and Public Awareness (Cepa) programme.
The report, released today, follows the findings of the auditor-general published last November, which highlighted several shortcomings in the programme.
These include the failure to construct and upgrade 10 stations and the non-installation of 13 hydrology equipment valued at RM0.77 million.
The PAC also found weaknesses in the PRAB contract, which did not include a “subject to fines” clause, which resulted in the failure to implement preventive maintenance measures.
In light of this, it recommended for the Energy Transition and Water Transformation Ministry (Petra) and the Irrigation and Drainage Department (JPS) to ensure that phases 2 and 3 of the PRAB are completed according to the scheduled timeline, cost, quality, and resource allocation.
“Petra must ensure that PRAB Phase 2 and 3, implemented in Sabah and Sarawak utilising effective technology, are capable of addressing the issues encountered during Phase 1, while also ensuring the necessary supporting infrastructure is established.
“JPS needs to ensure preventive maintenance is carried out according to schedule and contractors are selected qualified and competent to implement maintenance of PRAB in addition to ensuring all equipment at the station is properly protected,” it said.
Apart from that, Petra and JPS should enhance the Cepa programme as well as its flood early warning announcements to increase community awareness levels.
PRAB was established following the decision made by the Special Meeting of the Central Disaster Assistance Committee (JBBP) on January 3, 2014.
Under the jurisdiction of the JPS, the programme aims to continuously enhance and improve flood prediction models and warning systems through the application of more advanced, fast, and accurate technologies.
PRAB comprises four main components: developing a hydrological data tracking system, establishing a database system and ICT infrastructure, developing a flood prediction and modelling system, and enhancing the warning and dissemination system.
It was originally planned to be implemented in three phases, with Phase 1 scheduled from 2015 to 2024 in the main river basins of Sungai Kelantan, Sungai Terengganu, and Sungai Pahang.
Despite the setbacks in Phase 1, plans for Phase 2, which began in 2018 and includes 38 river basins nationwide, are underway, with completion expected in 2025.
JPS is also looking to expand PRAB to other river basins in Sabah and Sarawak in Phase 3. – March 20, 2024