Historic Flood Records in Colonial Malaysia: Sources and Context Dr Fiona Williamson National University of Malaysia

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]

Rainfall figures Extract from Blue Book for Malaya, 1906, Ee 2-8.

Elliot’s observations for Sarawak, 1842

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 It encompasses large areas of highlands, rainforest and coast which are especially affected by the monsoon.

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 sent in on sent from D.W. Daly, Supt. Public works Surveys to the Resident. Malaysian National Archive, PWD 566/81

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

Klang Valley and Ulu Langkat

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

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

Kuala Lumpur Railway Station (date unknown)

FLOODS, KUALA LUMPUR, NOVEMBER, 1925 G.12675

FLOODS IN KUALA LUMPUR, November 1925 G.12676

Newspaper reports, photographs, Public works reports/accounts; official correspondence; district reports; coroner’s records; contemporary research papers, meteorological reports and observations… the list is not exhaustive! Any questions, please ask or get in touch: Fiona Williamson:

Summary of areas of major flooding Ulu Langkat, 1902 Gombak, 1881/1911 Kepong, , 1902 Klang Valley 1881, , , 1911, , 1902, 1911, 1925

Flood at Kuala Lumpur padang, 1926 ANM, G.8201

Kuala Lumpur Floods in G.8535

Flood Conditions in Kota Bharu Town Kelantan between 10th to 14th January, Picture shows Jalan Hilir Pasar Kota Bharu, under 1-2 feet of water. G.10934

FLOOD CONDITIONS IN KOTA BHARU TOWN, BETWEEN 10TH TO 14TH JANUARY, PICTURE SHOWS MARKET PLACE UNDER 1-2 FEET OF WATER. G.10935