Historic Flood Records in Colonial Malaysia: Sources and
Context Dr Fiona Williamson National University of Malaysia
Slide 2
Meteorological Records for Precipitation Annual abstracts of
rainfall available in colonial Blue Books annual reports from 1870
onwards-libraries and archives internationally Sub-daily rainfall
from 1929 onwards taken at all observation stations (including
aerodromes) Malaysian Meteorological Department Rain gauges in
1880s included: Buterworth, Bertam, Bukit Minyak (Province
Wellesley); Malacca; P&O Depot, General Hospital Sepoy,
Hospital Kandang Kerbau, Pauper Hospital Sirangun Rd, Waterworks
Reservoir Thompson Road (Singapore); Leper Asylum Pulau Jerajah
(Penang) [original spellings]
Slide 3
Rainfall figures 1897-1906 Extract from Blue Book for Malaya,
1906, Ee 2-8.
Slide 4
Elliots observations for Sarawak, 1842
Slide 5
Map of the Straits Settlements Pahang was not part of the
Straits Settlements but came under the control of a British
Resident in the late 1880s. It became part of the FMS (with Perak,
Negeri Sembilan and Selangor) in 1897. It encompasses large areas
of highlands, rainforest and coast which are especially affected by
the monsoon. http://www.britishempire.co.uk/maproom/malaya.htm
Slide 6
Extract of letter recording a disastrous flood in KL on the 21
December 1881 Rains lasted 30 hours and the rain gauge gave 4.05
ins from 3am on 21st to 9am on 22nd. The flood started to rise in
the town around noon on 21st and the bridge over the Klang River
was the first to be destroyed by a bamboo raft that was carried
against it. The waters then rose into the shops and, mingling with
the earthern walls, undermined them and the houses fell in every
direction 92 mud houses were destroyed and many made of bamboo,
planks and attaps were washed away. The new bridge over the Gomba
River floated off, but the timbers and posts are uninjured. Copy of
a letter dated 28.12.81 sent in on 30.12.81.sent from D.W. Daly,
Supt. Public works Surveys to the Resident. Malaysian National
Archive, PWD 566/81
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Straits Times Overland Journal, 31 December 1881, p. 7. Private
advices, we learn, bring accounts of a most disastrous flood having
occurred in Selangor and done immense damage. The streets of Kuala
Lumpur, now chief town of the state, are said to have had ten feet
depth of water, and a great number of houses were washed away,
including the newly-built brick house of the Capitan China. Source:
National Library of Singapore Online Digitised Newspapers
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Klang Valley and Ulu Langkat
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Reports from Serendah 1902 did considerable damage to
Government and private property. Several mines are flooded out, and
there is no doubt that the main loss sustained lies in this
direction. Such a flood has not been known in Serendah for 15
years. It is rumoured that three natives were drowned. Straits
Times, 27 November 1902, p. 5. Two houses collapsed owing to the
brick pillars being washed away, and damage to personal property is
estimated at $7000 the application for Government assistance
because about half the loss sustained, including both the fallen
houses, has fallen on Malays [and] considerable damage was done to
the road and government drains. The slaughter houses were [also]
destroyed. District Office, Selangor (correspondence), NAM,
6652/1902, 5 December 1902
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Press reports on the flooding of Kuala Lumpur, December 1911 At
2 pm the water on the Padang was six foot deep, and a similar depth
on many thoroughfares. The government Offices and the majority of
business houses did not open today. The Chartered Bank had several
feet of water in the building. Many persons, including the postal
officials, swam to their offices. All kinds of debris floated round
the town and numerous native houses were washed away. The
Government Printing House is damaged to the extent of thousands of
dollars. No loss of life is reported yet. Straits Times, 22 Dec,
1911, p. 9 The worst flood ever known here occurred today, as the
result of which all means of locomotion to town from the
residential quarters are blocked. Chinatown is one vast sheet of
water and the Padang is flooded, the water covering the tops of the
hockey goal posts. Nearly every office, including the post office,
is flooded to a depth of several feet. Hundreds of people living in
the low-lying districts have moved all their household goods and
are temporarily homeless. Except for the fact that there are plenty
of hilly localities in the neigbourhood of town many lives must
certainly have been lost. Singapore Free Press, 23 Dec, 1911, p.
6
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Kuala Lumpur Railway Station (date unknown)
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FLOODS, KUALA LUMPUR, NOVEMBER, 1925 G.12675
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FLOODS IN KUALA LUMPUR, November 1925 G.12676
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Newspaper reports, photographs, Public works reports/accounts;
official correspondence; district reports; coroners records;
contemporary research papers, meteorological reports and
observations the list is not exhaustive! Any questions, please ask
or get in touch: Fiona Williamson: [email protected]
Slide 15
Summary of areas of major flooding 1881- 1925 Ulu Langkat, 1902
Gombak, 1881/1911 Kepong, 1902 1893, 1902 Klang Valley 1881, 1902
1893, 1902 1902, 1911, 1925 1881, 1902, 1911, 1925
Slide 16
Flood at Kuala Lumpur padang, 1926 ANM, G.8201
Slide 17
Kuala Lumpur Floods in 1926. G.8535
Slide 18
Flood Conditions in Kota Bharu Town Kelantan between 10th to
14th January, 1939. Picture shows Jalan Hilir Pasar Kota Bharu,
under 1-2 feet of water. G.10934
Slide 19
FLOOD CONDITIONS IN KOTA BHARU TOWN, BETWEEN 10TH TO 14TH
JANUARY, 1939. PICTURE SHOWS MARKET PLACE UNDER 1-2 FEET OF WATER.
G.10935