Its vice-chancellor, Prof Datuk Dr Kamarudin Hussin, said the system was developed as a result of several imaging studies done on 90 hectares of areas affected by the floods in Tumpat.
“Its prototype has been completed and for a start, 12 units of the devices will be installed by middle of this year, six of which to be installed along the riverbanks of the Kelantan river and the other six in several villages badly affected by floods in Tumpat last month,” he told reporters after launching UniMAP’s 1Malaysia Social Innovation Programme and Post-Flood Cleaning Operation here today.
Kamaruddin said the system would detect the rising level of flood water through real-time sensor, after which warnings of floods would be issued immediately using visual (lights) and audible (sirens) warning devices.
He said the system was very beneficial to the residents in low-lying and flood-prone areas, especially in saving lives and properties.
“We will carry out more imaging surveys using unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to monitor the effects of floods on 500 hectares of areas in Tumpat to determine suitable locations for the installation of the devices,” he said.
Kamarudin said the system, which was designed and developed by a senior lecturer of UniMAP’s School of Bioprocess Engineering Dr Midhat Nabil Ahmad Salimi, would probably be expanded to other states, if necessary.
He said the devices could also be connected to email or SMS for the benefit of relevant agencies, such as Civil Defence Department and the Fire and Rescue Department.
Meanwhile, he said 1,440 UniMAP students and staff were involved in the post-flood cleaning operation in Kelantan, Pahang, Terengganu and Perak, which began on Jan 18 and would end on Jan 27.
At the launch, Kamarudin also distributed 1,423 school bags and other necessities to pupils in seven schools affected by the floods in Tumpat.
— BERNAMA
