The National Water Research Institute of Malaysia (NAHRIM) and the National Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (PRABN), Department of Irrigation and Drainage Malaysia (JPS), in collaboration with the University of Malaya Sustainability Development Centre (UMSDC), organised the “Communication, Education, Participation and Public Awareness (CEPA) Programme for the Flood Forecasting and Warning Programme (PRAB) for the Klang River Basin at the University of Malaya”, involving staff of the University of Malaya.

This programme forms part of the CEPA Implementation Study for PRAB Phase 2 (Package 1) in the Klang River Basin, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, which is conducted over a two-year period from March 2025 to February 2027. For the year 2026, the programme was held on 20 January, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at the Property and Varsity Lake Department, University of Malaya.
The programme involved cross-departmental participation within the university, including the Property Department, Sports Centre, Auxiliary Police, Occupational Safety, Health and Environment Centre (OSHEC), Risk Management Centre, University of Malaya Medical Centre, My Rescue Team UM under the Centre for Counselling and Disability Empowerment, Corporate Communications Centre, and the Information Technology Department.

On behalf of the University of Malaya, congratulations were extended to the Department of Irrigation and Drainage Malaysia for the development of a systematic and integrated flood warning system through the Flood Forecasting and Warning Programme (PRAB) under the supervision of PRABN.
This programme is a national initiative aimed at strengthening the country’s capacity to forecast flood events and deliver accurate and timely early warnings to disaster management agencies and the public. Understanding the PRAB system enables communities to take early action, such as relocating important belongings, evacuating high-risk areas, or seeking shelter at evacuation centres. Confidence in these warnings also enhances a culture of disaster preparedness, making communities more proactive in protecting themselves, their families, and their communities.

At the University of Malaya, several measures have been implemented to enhance flood preparedness. These include the development of a flood warning system and flood sirens in collaboration with JPS, the implementation of a water retention pond at Kolam Damansara, and an underground water storage system at Field C with the support of Kuala Lumpur City Hall. These initiatives demonstrate the university’s commitment to disaster risk reduction and the protection of campus residents and the surrounding community.

The CEPA-PRAB Programme 2026 featured a series of presentations focusing on various aspects of flood management.
The welcoming address was delivered by the Director of the University of Malaya Sustainability Development Centre, Associate Professor Dr. Zeeda Fatimah Mohamad.
The first session, titled “Floods and the University of Malaya”, was presented by Mr. Affan Nasaruddin, Research Officer at the UM Sustainability Development Centre.
The second presentation by Mr. Irwan Shahrill bin Ibrahim, Senior Assistant Director of PRABN, JPS, introduced the Flood Forecasting and Warning Programme and CEPA-KARIB.
The third presentation, “CEPA-PRAB Programme for the Klang River Basin at the University of Malaya (From Awareness to Action: The University’s Commitment to Flood Preparedness)”, was delivered by Ir. Ts. Mohamad Hazlami bin Abdul Hamid, Engineer, JPS Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur.
The fourth presentation, “The Role of Agencies in the Flood Forecasting and Warning Programme in Kuala Lumpur”, was presented by Major (PA) Mohamad Aminullah bin Zulkafly from the Malaysia Civil Defence Force, Kuala Lumpur District Office.
The final session was delivered by Ts. Dr. Azlinda Saadon from Universiti Teknologi MARA, who introduced the MyPublicInfoBanjir application. This application is a platform that provides real-time information and notifications on rainfall conditions, river water levels, and flood warnings nationwide. Participants were guided on how to use the application to monitor flood situations, receive early warnings, and make the necessary preparations to ensure the safety of themselves, their families, and their communities.

Participants were also taken to visit the Flood Warning Siren near the Kuala Lumpur Entrance, installed by JPS, for a site visit and demonstration session. During this session, participants were introduced to how the siren functions as an early warning system and how it is coordinated with the PRAB control centre to notify the public when water levels rise or flood risks increase. This demonstration enabled participants to understand the operational process of the siren, the importance of early preparedness, and how the public can respond promptly based on issued warnings.

In the afternoon, a practical session was conducted at Varsity Lake, University of Malaya, involving Water Rescue and Water Confidence activities, led by the Malaysia Civil Defence Force (APM) in collaboration with the UM Sports Centre. During this session, participants were exposed to the use of water rescue equipment such as ring buoys and rescue throw bags, as well as basic techniques for rescuing victims trapped in water.
The Water Confidence session provided participants with the opportunity to build self-confidence in aquatic environments, learn to maintain balance and self-control in water, and understand how to overcome fear and panic during emergency situations. These activities aimed to develop basic water safety skills and enhance individual preparedness in the event of floods or water-related incidents.

The CEPA-PRAB Programme 2026 demonstrates the close collaboration between government agencies, higher education institutions, and the community in strengthening flood preparedness and fostering a proactive safety culture in Malaysia.