LETTERS: The flash floods that strike Peninsular Malaysia are not just a natural calamity, but are also a stark reminder of a persistent problem.
There's an often-overlooked factor exacerbating these floods — plastic pollution, which stems from improper disposal and littering and can have a direct and detrimental impact on flash floods.
One of the most obvious ways is through the blockage of drainage systems.
Plastic waste that accumulates in urban areas can clog drains, preventing them from channelling excess water away.
During heavy rainfall, this blockage becomes a bottleneck, causing water to pool on streets and surfaces and raising the risk of flash floods.
Furthermore, plastic waste, including bags and bottles, can infiltrate the soil and urban landscapes, reducing the ground's permeability.
This means that the earth becomes less capable of absorbing rainfall, resulting in increased surface runoff.
As a result, even moderate rainfall can lead to flash flooding when plastic waste interferes with the natural absorption of water.
Plastic pollution also contaminates rivers and streams and can alter flow patterns and exacerbate flood risks during heavy rainfall.
Additionally, the long-term accumulation of plastic waste in water bodies and drainage systems can modify the landscape's flow patterns, creating conditions conducive to flash floods even during moderate rainfall.
DR PRAVEENA NAIR
Deputy director, Clean Technology Impact Lab, Taylor's University
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times