From Risk to Readiness:
Exploring Community Preparedness for Monsoon Floods in East Coast Malaysia
Hosen Nadzirah, Kamarudin Khairul Hisyam and Mohamad Fauzi Mohamad Hafiz
Disaster Advances; Vol. 18(1); 31-37;
doi: https://doi.org/10.25303/181da031037; (2025)
Abstract
Floods during the monsoon season are a recurring phenomenon in Malaysia’s East Coast,
with Kelantan communities frequently affected from November to March. These floods
cause significant loss of life and economic damage, emphasising the need for increased
awareness and preparedness. This study employs quantitative research methods to
evaluate the preparedness of the Tok Deh community in Kelantan who experienced severe
floods in 2014 and 2022. Fifty respondents completed a questionnaire assessing five
indicators: knowledge of floods, reading flood signs, flood adaptation, flood awareness
and flood perception.
The results indicate high community knowledge about floods (mean score, M = 3.82)
and a strong belief that floods are inevitable during monsoons (4.42). The community
showed high confidence in Government support post-flood (4.36 - 4.42), effective
sharing of flood-related knowledge (4.42) and high awareness of evacuation centre
locations (4.44). However, participation in disaster awareness campaigns (3.52)
and awareness of the importance of infrastructure (3.68) need improvement. Confidence
in the safety of homes and buildings is moderate to low (2.32 - 2.72). Although
the community anticipates large-scale flooding within the next decade (4.10), individual
preparedness remains inadequate. This study highlights the community’s strong flood-related
knowledge and collective preparedness and calls for improved personal preparedness,
expert knowledge access and communication with non-governmental organisations to
enhance resilience.
