Ingenieur Vol 91 2022 | Page 40

INGENIEUR

Climate Change and Building Resilency

By Kuan You Wai

FEATURE

Figure 1 : The Human Cost of Disasters ( 2000-2019 ): Deadliest Disasters and Mega-Disasters . ( Source : https :// reliefweb . int / map / world / human-costdisasters-2000-2019-deadliest-disasters-and-mega-disasters-dg-echo-a3 )

United Nations Secretary-General special representative , Mr Mami Mizutori , in his report , “ The Human Costs of Disasters 2000-2019 ”, said that extreme weather caused by climate change has resulted in at least 7,348 major disasters between 2000 and 2019 , claiming 1.23 million lives , affecting 4.2 billion people , and costing the global economy USD2.97 trillion . Asian countries like China , India and Bangladesh were highlighted in the report for high risk of floods and storms in the foreseeable future ( Climate change triggers disasters , threatens millions - UN , Deutsche Welle , Germany , Oct 12 , 2020 ).

Malaysia is a blessed country situated away from the “ Pacific Ring of Fire ”— the earthquake belt — and tropical cyclones . Still , the tail end of tropical cyclones , with reduced impacts , hit Malaysia most of the time . Sabah suffered two direct hits , namely Tropical Storm Greg in December 1996 , and Typhoon Vamei in December 2001 , with devastating damages .

38 VOL 91 JULY-SEPTEMBER 2022