Strengthening flood disaster management through a risk-based preparedness and decision-making approach for local authority in Shah Alam, Selangor

Abstract

Natural hazards including flash floods are occurring more frequently because of rapid climate change. Flood management by the local authority is crucial for mitigating flash flood event in the affected areas. Therefore, this study employs a mixed-methods approach to explore the flood management practices of the local authority in Shah Alam, Malaysia based on the decision-making theory by Herbert Simon (1960). Specifically, the objectives of this study are (i) to identify challenges in flood disaster management in Shah Alam, (ii) to quantify risks based on economic and non-economic losses caused by floods in Shah Alam and (iii) to propose a risk-based preparedness and decision-making approach for Shah Alam's local authority in managing flood disasters. For the qualitative component, the data was collected via 20 informal interview in 2023 with informant chosen based on quadruple helix multi stakeholder model to identify the challenges in flood management. Thematic analysis conducted by Taguette software identified two main challenges in flood management: coommunication gaps and policy constraints, which significantly affect coordination, collaboration, resource sharing, and the authority’s effectiveness in disaster response. For the quantitative component, a random household survey involving 402 respondents in Shah Alam was conducted in 2023 to calculate flood risk. Descriptive analysis using SPSS software estimated the economic and non-economic loss and damage caused by flash floods. Flood risk was then assessed using the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) SREX risk equation, revealing that medium-risk areas experience the highest economic losses due to geographical vulnerability, whereas high-risk areas face frequent flooding, largely due to inadequate urban planning. To develop the modified flood management guideline, qualitative data from the same 20 informal interviews was further analyzed thematically. The proposed framework emphasizes strengthening disaster governance by fostering collaboration through joint training, clarifying agency roles and jurisdictions, and enhancing local leadership by equipping the Shah Alam City Council (SACC) with necessary resources. To validate the findings, all 20 informants reviewed the framework to refine recommendations, address gaps, and resolve concerns. Additionally, Cronbach’s Alpha was applied to assess the reliability of the household survey data. The key contribution of this study is a modified version of Herbert Simon’s (1960) decision-making model that incorporates identified flood management challenges, flood risk calculations, and an improved communication, coordination, and community engagement framework for local stakeholders. This enhancement contributes to disaster management research by integrating risk-based preparedness into a decision-making framework, providing insights into local authority challenges in flood response. For policymakers like SACC, the proposed guideline provide practical tools to enhances flood governance, inter-agency collaboration, and community resilience while local communities benefit from improved communication and preparedness strategies. In conclusion, an effective flood management framework for Shah Alam must be comprehensive and adaptable, addressing the multifaceted challenges of disaster management for sustainable development. Future research should explore emerging technologies such as AI and IoT to further enhance flood management planning