- Advertisement -
News

Space tech to help with flood preparations

Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Dr Adham Baba says this will allow the authorities to manage disasters more efficiently and effectively.

Bernama
2 minute read
Share
Garbage floats on the water around a partially submerged car as people wade through nearly waist-high floodwaters at a commercial area in Taman Sri Muda, Shah Alam, during the floods which hit Selangor last December.
Garbage floats on the water around a partially submerged car as people wade through nearly waist-high floodwaters at a commercial area in Taman Sri Muda, Shah Alam, during the floods which hit Selangor last December.

The science, technology and innovation ministry is using a technology developed by the Malaysian Space Agency (MYSA) to identify localities prone to flooding in its early preparations for the rainy season.

Its minister Dr Adham Baba said among the space technologies developed and operated by MYSA were the integrated disaster management system and the satellite image-based monsoon flood information and logistics system (eBanjir).

"Space technology, especially the remote sensing satellite, is capable of observing and producing the latest images and information on the earth's surface which is very useful in helping to manage disasters quickly, efficiently and effectively," he told the media after the launch of the World Space Week 2022 in Kuala Lumpur today.

He said MYSA would carry out drone flights to monitor specific locations to obtain more detailed information about flood areas.

Apart from that, he said, Mimos Bhd had developed the national flood forecasting and warning system (SRAB) to assist in data collection at the control centre for initial data contribution for flood forecasting and warnings to the Irrigation and Drainage Department.

"Phase One of the SRAB system covers three areas such as Sungai Terengganu, Sungai Kelantan and Sungai Pahang and uses seven technologies developed by Mimos," he added.

Meanwhile, Adham said four local companies had shown interest in developing a rocket launch site in Malaysia.

"Malaysia is suitable to be used as a rocket launch site because of its location on the equator," he said, adding that the ministry would launch a third remote sensing satellite in 2025.

He voiced hope that the development of the rocket launch site would achieve the satellite launch target.