Answer for Oral Question PT091

QUESTION

Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Salleh Bostaman bin Haji Zainal Abidin

YANG BERHORMAT AWANG HAJI SALLEH BOSTAMAN BIN HAJI ZAINAL ABIDIN asks the Menteri Pembangunan to state what concrete measures are being taken to strengthen the local flood early warning system for areas that frequently experience flooding, including the installation of water level sensors, SMS alert systems and sirens, detailed flood risk mapping, as well as community preparedness training to improve the overall effectiveness of flood mitigation?

ANSWER

Yang Berhormat Menteri Pembangunan

• Thank you Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua. Thanks are also extended to Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Salleh Bostaman bin Haji Zainal Abidin for the question raised regarding measures to strengthen the local flood early warning system.
• The Drainage and Sewerage Department has established a Hydrology Unit which has implemented a remote flood monitoring system since 2019, using water level sensors based on Internet of Things (IoT) technology, particularly in catchment areas such as Sungai Kedayan and Sungai Damuan. This information is monitored through an alert system connected to a mobile application. The effectiveness of this system has helped the Department to implement early measures to reduce flood risk.
• This effort will be expanded with the installation of more than 100 additional sensors in several flood catchment areas under the 12th National Development Plan, such as in the Sungai Tutong catchment area (Kg Lubok Pulau, Pekan Tutong, Keriam and surrounding areas), in the Sungai Belait catchment area (Kuala Belait and Seria), as well as the Sungai Temburong catchment area (Pekan Bangar, Senukoh and Rataie) in Temburong District. The Drainage Data Management Support System Phase 1 project, in collaboration with the Brunei Darussalam Meteorological Department, which is currently at the design preparation stage, is expected to be offered in December 2025.
• This initiative will also be extended to providing the public with access to live flood monitoring information, particularly residents in areas easily affected by floods, through SMS and digital platforms that deliver relevant water level information and weather forecasts quickly and in a user-friendly manner.
• As an initial step, one flood catchment area will be made a pilot project for testing an open monitoring system for public access, which will serve as the basis for assessing the effectiveness of the system from technical, logistical and public acceptance aspects.
• Overall, the implementation of this flood early warning system will be carried out in phases and continuously under the forthcoming National Development Plans. This includes feasibility studies for alert systems via SMS and sirens, to improve the effectiveness of risk communication to the public.
• From the mitigation aspect, flood risk mapping has been and is being implemented as a key component in the country's flood disaster management. This mapping is a prerequisite for the implementation of large-scale drainage projects. Among the projects included in the scope of the RKN Ke-12 projects are the Brunei Darussalam Drainage Masterplan and the Sungai Belait & Temburong Floodplain Management Studies, for which the tender closed on 22 July 2025 and are currently in the tender evaluation process.
• Overall, this comprehensive approach will continue to be strengthened and improved to ensure a more responsive, inclusive and resilient flood early warning system, with the active involvement of the community in preparedness for flood disasters.
• Yang Berhormat Yang Di-Pertua. That is all the answer that kaola is able to convey in answering the question from Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Salleh Bostaman bin Haji Zainal Abidin.