The Key to Survival: Adapting, Flowing Along

In December 2006 and January 2007, many parts of Johor, the southern most state of Malaysia received a record of more than 100mm of rainfall over a period of 3days continuous rain.

Many towns and even the capital city of Johor Bahru, hitherto unaccustomed to such floods caught many a unprepared crowd, not once, but twice in an interval of less than 3 weeks.

Many theories were put forward by experts, laypersons and politicians trying to explain and even exonerate responsibilities and many found the perfect scapegoat: "Mother Nature" and "Acts of God". Poor Mother and Poor God, what blaspheme and what scandalous convenience!

Whilst it is true that the rain that fell was exceptionally high in deluge, not all areas where the deluge of rain fell was inundated and this begs the question why?

The cause of floods is simple.

When the desired level of water in a targeted area is above the desired threshold, the relevant place is considered undesirable flooded.

Flooding therefore occurs when the net inflow is more than the outflow of water in a given area.

It is now almost conclusive that the recent flooding whilst primarily caused by a lethal combination of heavy rainfall and high tides, badly maintained drainage system is also to be blamed.

Many of the major rivers: Kota Tinggi, Segamat, Kluang and Muar where heavily silted through years of neglect and it was a disaster waiting to happen.

There is now a warning out there to expect a possible "Third Wave" of flooding and the unease could be felt everywhere and every time when rain is a little heavy and longer than usual

But heavier and longer rainfall as a result of green house effect climate change will be it and not the exception from now onwards.

What then are the options available for us to ensure that flooding does not adversely affect us?

From cloud seeding to adopting sustainable development strategies and dredging the rivers to get rid of the silt, none is more cost effective and viable than to flow with Nature: ADAPTIVE SURVIVAL.

It is as is now that these places that flood are now becoming "flood plains" and this be so, adapt to the changes by adopting appropriate flood plain systems and processes.

The Stilted Malay House, once a feature for houses located at or near rivers to accommodate the seasonal floods need to be revived as our adaptive response to the change in the behaviour of the climate brought about by our wanton heartless treatment of the environment through our selfish gratification consumption behavior.

If we fail to adapt, by Darwin's Law, we will be overwhelmed by outside forces and perish to the pages of history as species that failed.

At the end of the day, it is the Survival of the Fittest, like it or not and the fittest survives primarily by their witty adaptation.

Adapt and Flow Along until something better comes along.