KUALA LUMPUR, Jan. 8 -- In Kuala Lumpur, where sudden downpours can overwhelm even the best flood mitigation infrastructures, timely alerts are just as critical in keeping the city and its residents safe from severe flooding.

While retaining walls, retention ponds and a state-of-the-art stormwater drain form KL's first line of defence against floods, a city-wide warning system also complements its overall flood mitigation strategy.

This is where the Early Flood Warning System, managed by the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (JPS) Malaysia, comes into play.

To better understand how the system helps residents stay ahead of floods - and what the public should do when a siren sounds - Malay Mail reached out to JPS Malaysia recently. ...