About Infobanjir
Infobanjir was first developed back in 1999 as a centralised database system for the telemetry stations and was commissioned in the year 2000. The system receives real time rainfall and water level data from almost 200 telemetry stations throughout the country. Hydrological data from the stations is sent to the state server and further transmitted to Infobanjir. Initially, Infobanjir was developed to assist DID officers in monitoring current river water level and rainfall status remotely.
Infobanjir were published online in 2001 to reach the public and other related agencies. The website published the real time rainfall and water level data from 120 rainfall stations and 140 water level stations throughout the country. The website also addresses real time flooded area and roads inundated with flood.
By the year 2002, the number of stations in Infobanjir was increased to 300 stations. The website graphic interface and display was improvised to be more user friendly to the public.
In 2005, the Infobanjir website was improvised to increase its database capacity and processing system, to cater for the increasing demand. Almost 400 stations were displayed, including stations from Wilayah Persekutuan Labuan. The website also display flood forecast and landslide information for selected locations. Several on-line web cameras were also installed at several location to facilitate visual remote monitoring.
Late 2011, Publicinfobanjir website was developed, as an extension to Infobanjir website. The publicinfobanjir website focuses on flood warning dissemination to the public, which is much easier and simplified to understand. It also includes flood warning dissemination via social media mediums, e.g. Facebook, twitter and RSS. Important information such as details of evacuation centres, flood status and current rainfall as well as water level data are displayed interactively in the website. The numbers of hydrological stations was increased to almost 500 stations. The current Infobanjir website was retained as a reference for all agencies related to flood, universities and consultants.
Following the catastrophic flood event in 2013, that hits the East Coast of Malaysia, DID has taken the initiative to improve the current Infobanjir website. The initiative encompasses a new Infobanjir website that combined both information from the current Infobanjir and Publicinfobanjir website. The graphic display and interface was improved to ease public understanding. Latest technology was applied to increase the capacity of the website to receive and process real time data in shorter period. The data is also shared with other related agencies e.g. National Disaster Management Agency, Lembaga Urus Air Selangor, etc.
The improved Infobanjir website also displays the image of rivers in real time basis. It also displays the flood forecast information at selected locations, with the aim to assist all flood management related agencies and locals authorities to conduct early preparation and evacuation if needed.
Infobanjir website is very useful to the public and all flood management related agencies to prepare ahead of time in the event of any occurrences flooding. The Department of Irrigation and Drainage is constantly striving to improve the existing system, towards a more rapid, timely and widespread information distribution to public for better service and info sharing.
Flood and Drought Forecast Section
Water Resources and Hydrology Management Division
Department of Irrigation and Drainage, Malaysia
11 July 2016