Why were Malaysians caught unprepared for major floods on the west coast?

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Malaysians Were Unprepared for Major West Coast Floods Due to Underestimation and Insufficient Warnings

Malaysians were caught unprepared for the recent major floods in Selangor due to a prevalent underestimation of the west coast's vulnerability to large-scale deluges and a lack of adequate warning systems. Experts suggest a mistaken belief that such widespread flooding was exclusive to the east coast of peninsular Malaysia contributed significantly to this lack of readiness. The scale of the disaster highlighted deficiencies in both anticipation and preparedness measures.
Underestimation of West Coast Flood Risk

A primary reason for the lack of preparedness was the prevailing assumption that massive and widespread floods were a phenomenon confined to the east coast states of peninsular Malaysia. This belief led to an underestimation of the potential for similar catastrophic events on the west coast, despite available weather forecasts days before the storm. Experts like Prof Fredolin Tangang from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia's Department of Earth Sciences and Environment pointed out that this misperception meant the west coast was not adequately prepared for a deluge of the magnitude seen in 2014 on the east coast.
Insufficient Warning Systems and Preparations

The recent floods also underscored a deficiency in early warning systems and overall preparations. While weather forecasts were available, the effectiveness of these warnings in guiding the public to reduce losses appears to have been insufficient. Experts have indicated that beyond long-term considerations like climate change and sustainable development, there is a pressing need for improved early warning mechanisms. Such systems are crucial for enabling the public to take timely action and mitigate the impact of flood events.

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Why were Malaysians caught unprepared for major floods on the west coast?

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