2.

4 KAMPUNG BUSO, BAU, SARAWAK - (Siti Humairah)

STUDY AREA

The case study is located at Kampung Buso. Buso is situated in Bau, Sarawak, Malaysia.
Its geographical coordinates are 1° 27' 1" North, 110° 11' 1" East. Kampung Buso was born
along the meandering Sarawak River called as Sungai Sarawak Kanan which is about 25
kilometres from Kuching city and located within the administrative jurisdiction of the Bau
district in Sarawak.

Figure 5.1 Location of case study (Kampung Buso)

Kampung Buso has taken a huge hit from floodwaters and almost fully submerged due to
continuous rain on Tuesday (12/01/2021), Wednesday (13/01/2021) and Thursday
(14/01/2021). A number of families being rescued and transported to nearby temporary
evacuation centres, “Pusat Pemulihan Sementara” (PPS) (Wong, 2021).

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 Figure 5.2 Flood situation in Kampung Buso

Figure 5.3 Sarawak Tribune news on 14th January

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METHODOLOGY

Figure 5.4 Flood level recorded at Kampung Buso

The flood level recorded on 14/01/2021 at Kampung Buso is about 2.5m as shown in the
figure above.

Figure 5.5 Hyetograph for Siniawan Station

Referring to figure above, Siniawan Station experienced a high intensity of rainfall from 12th
January 2021 until 14th January 2021. The rainfall duration on the day where Kampung Buso
being affected by flood problem with highest rainfall intensity is from 18:00 (13th January
2021) to 5:00 (14th January 2021) which is about half of a day, 11 hours.

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 Figure 5.6 Hydrograph for Siniawan Station

Figure above shows that the water level at Station Siniawan rising continuously from its normal level
and exceeded the danger level.

ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION

Rainfall intensity and water level:

Graph 5.1 Graph of rainfall intensity and water level for Siniawan Station

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From graph above, the station received a heavy intense rainfall for 3 days from 12th January
2021 until 14th January 2021. The highest rainfall intensity observed is from 18:00 on 13th
January to 05:00 on 14th January with total rainfall intensity of 180mm/hr which is about 11
hours. As for the water level, it is rising continuously from normal level and eventually it
reach beyond the danger level. It can be seen that the catchment area are unable to manage a
large volume of water as it is beyond their capacity which led to severe floods.

Estimation of Design Rainstorm from IDF Relationship:

The derived IDF parameters of High ARI are obtained from the Siniawan Station (Station ID:
1810121RF (1403001)) which is closely situated to the case study, Kampung Buso.

Figure 5.7 List of Derived Parameters of High ARI for Sarawak

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Fitting constants

λ  66.0186 ; κ  0.1901 ; θ  0.2181 ; η  0.6486

Empirical equation
T 
i
d   
Where
i = Average rainfall intensity (mm/hr)
T = Average recurrence interval - ARI (0.5 ≤ T ≤ 12 month and 2 ≤ T ≤ 100 year)
D = Storm duration (hours), 0.0833 ≤ d ≤ 72: and
 ,  ,  and  = Fitting constants dependent on the raingauge location

Table 5.1 Estimated Design Rainfall Intensity-Frequency-Duration (IDF) for Site 1810121RF
(1403001) Siniawan Station

Intensity
Return Period, T (yr)
(mm/hr)
Duration
2 5 10 20 25 50 100
(hr)
0.25 123.23 146.68 167.33 190.90 199.17 227.23 259.23
0.5 93.36 111.13 126.78 144.63 150.90 172.15 196.40
1 66.27 78.88 89.99 102.66 107.11 122.20 139.41
3 35.29 42.01 47.92 54.67 57.04 65.07 74.24
6 23.02 27.40 31.26 35.66 37.21 42.45 48.43
12 14.85 17.68 20.17 23.01 24.01 27.39 31.25
24 9.53 11.34 12.94 14.77 15.40 17.57 20.05
48 6.10 7.26 8.28 9.45 9.86 11.24 12.83
72 4.69 5.58 6.37 7.27 7.58 8.65 9.87

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 Graph 5.2 Design Rainfall Intensity-Frequency-Duration (IDF) Curve for Siniawan, Sarawak.

Average rainfall intensity

180 mm
i  16.36 mm/hr
11 hours

16.36 
66.0186T 0.1901
11  0.21810.6486
T = 2.483 ≈ 2.5 years

The flood that hit Kampung Buso on last January is due to climate change and to be more
specific, the northeast monsoon season. The northeast monsoon is the major rainy season in
Malaysia. It starts from November and lasts till March, bringing heavy rains that often cause
severe floods along the east side of Peninsular Malaysia, such as Kuantan, and Borneo (Sabah
and Sarawak). As this monsoon wind is particularly strong, it often brings heavy rain to the
west side of Peninsular Malaysia as well during this period. However, daytime is usually
warm and sunny, with heavy rains only occurring in the evenings onward. As shown in
Figure xxx, it can be seen that the rainfall started in the evening until the next day. For
example, on 13th January, the rains occur from 18:00 and eventually stop at 5:00 on the next
day, 14th January. Heavy rains collided with high tide events cause the overflow of the
Sarawak Right River in low-lying areas.

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 Figure 5.8 Northeast monsoon

In relation to high tide, it is one of the main factors that contributed to the heavy flooding..
As mentioned in Borneo Post Online, on 13th January 2021, the Sarawak river is at risk of
bursting and spilling out of its banks which led to widespread floods said Dr Murni Suhaili.
He also explained that this is due to the large amount of river water flowing down from
catchment areas during the King Tide. The rain persists, the danger of the Sungai Sarawak
bursting its banks is inevitable due to the high volume of river waters flowing down
catchment areas, and King Tide is forecast to reach 10.6 metres downstream of the Kuching
Barrage at 6 p.m. At 7 a.m., the water level at Kuching Barrage had exceeded 8.75 metres.
After an operation to flush the waters began at 3.37 a.m., the water level of the Sarawak
River had actually fallen from 10.40 metres. At 5.33 p.m. the king tide in Sarawak is forecast
to hit 6 metres.

Figure 5.9 The water level at the Kuching Barrage with the Sarawak River on the right as at 4.40pm
(13th January 2021) – Photo by Chimon Upon

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 Figure 5.10 Sarawak King Tide Period 2021

Flooding may also be caused by poor drainage, resulting in property damage and
possibly forcing residents to relocate to avoid the floodwaters. While there is no doubt that
flooding caused by drainage system problems can occur in rural areas, this problem is more
prevalent in urban areas. Sediment residues such as sand, as well as trash, clog ditches due to
poorly maintained drainage systems. In fact, congested drainage can prevent water flow in
some cases. However, Chief Minister of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Abang
Openg said although there are some flaws in the drainage system, they are not the primary
cause of the current floods and it is due to the clash of heavy rain with high tides (myMetro,
2021).

There are ways to lessen the damage from flooding. It is suggested that residents
relocate their home to higher ground or construct flood-resistant higher foundations. Flood
vents must also be installed by homeowners. In addition, ea good drainage system need to be
ensured and it is maintained on a regular basis so that surface runoff can flow smoothly into
the river as it keeps water from accumulating. Furthermore, excess water that simply sits on
top of land can produce an area conducive to mosquito breeding. Building a manmade lake is
also one of the best way to reduce the impact of flooding. These lakes are positioned to
collect rainwater. It can be used as a recreational area as well. Created retention lakes must be
maintained on a regular basis. The work of retention lakes and other methods is also affected
by groundwater levels. Nevertheless, it can relieve pressure on the main channel, act as new
habitats, and provide other benefits such as recreational and drinking water.

40
REFERENCES

Borneo Post Online. (2021). SRB: Sarawak River could overflow if heavy rain persists during King
Tide today. Retrieved from Several areas in Bau under water - New Sarawak Tribune

Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) Malaysia. (2018). Hydrological Procedure No. 26 (HP
26). Estimation of Design Rainstorm in Sabah and Sarawak.

Department of Irrigation and Drainage Sarawak. (2021). Recorded Flood Event in Sarawak (P18).
Retrieved from Official Website of Department of Irrigation and Drainage Sarawak

Government of Malaysia Department of Irrigation and Drainage. (2012). Urban Stormwater

Management Manual for Malaysia (MSMA 2nd Edition). Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Department of
Irrigation and Drainage (DID) Malaysia.

myMetro. (2021). Banjir luar biasa di Sarawak akibat perubahan iklim. Retrieved from Banjir luar
biasa di Sarawak akibat perubahan iklim (hmetro.com.my)

Wong. E. C. (2021). Several areas in Bau under water. Retrieved from Several areas in Bau under
water - New Sarawak Tribune

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APPENDIX B: Rainfall intensity and water level of Siniawan Station (Kampung Buso)

12/01/2021 13/01/2021 14/01/2021

Time Rainfall intensity Water level Rainfall intensity Water level Rainfall intensity Water level
(hour) (mm/h) (m) (mm/h) (m) (mm/h) (m)
1:00 0.50 0.89 12.00 4.76 10.50 6.28
2:00 2.00 1.12 4.50 4.96 6.00 6.49
3:00 0.50 1.36 1.00 5.13 3.00 6.70
4:00 0.00 1.54 0.50 5.29 0.50 6.85
5:00 3.00 1.74 0.00 5.45 0.50 6.92
6:00 0.50 1.87 0.00 5.61 0.00 7.04
7:00 1.00 2.02 0.00 5.69 1.00 7.13
8:00 0.50 2.13 0.50 5.75 1.00 7.21
9:00 4.00 2.04 0.00 5.81 0.00 7.27
10:00 0.50 2.00 0.00 5.82 0.50 7.39
11:00 3.50 1.97 2.50 5.81 0.50 7.48
12:00 1.00 1.92 2.50 5.78 2.00 7.57
13:00 13.00 1.93 0.50 5.72 14.00 7.63
14:00 34.50 2.18 2.00 5.64 2.50 7.75
15:00 10.00 2.59 1.00 5.61 3.00 7.84
16:00 5.00 2.90 0.00 5.56 1.00 7.98
17:00 1.50 3.22 0.00 5.53 1.50 8.05
18:00 0.00 3.45 3.00 5.51 0.50 8.14
19:00 0.00 3.72 1.00 5.51 0.00 8.03
20:00 2.50 3.88 9.00 5.51 0.50 8.02
21:00 25.00 4.00 0.50 5.64 0.00 8.11
22:00 18.50 4.30 44.50 5.72 2.50 8.23
23:00 7.50 4.49 58.00 5.91 0.00 8.27
0:00 8.00 4.61 43.50 6.04 4.00 8.25

58