From 27 to 31 August 2019, group of researchers from MJIIT/UTM’s DRM program, led by Dr. Faizah Che Ros and researchers from Kansai University, Kyoto University, Tottori University and Ritsumeikan University visited Kundasang, Sabah to conduct their first activity together for the joint research project, “Study on Debris Flow Modeling and Water Quality Implications after the 2015 Earthquake in Mesilau River, Kundasang, Sabah.
This research project has 2 parts with the objectives below:
- Debris Flow Modeling
- Remotely sensed data analysis to understand the cause and impacts of the earthquake.
- Fieldwork and visit to understand the causes, impacts of earthquakes and its cascading geohazards and, to do the diameter investigation for debris flow modeling.
- Rainfall data analysis to design the scenario of rainfall to be the input of numerical modeling.
- Debris flow modeling using Kanako-2D.
- Develop an integrated framework of low-cost early warning system based on numerical modeling, stakeholder’s engagement.
- Water Quality Analysis
- Desktop study on understanding the acid rock drainage due to debris flow and methods improve the water quality
- Fieldwork for water quality sampling at identified sampling station that will be covered up, mid and downstream of Mesilau River
- Lab work for water quality analysis – The various parameters of interest present in water are broadly placed in four categories, namely physical parameters, metals, inorganic non-metallic contents or chemical compounds and organic parameters.
- Lab/field testing on the possible method to improve water quality.
The research project is expected to last until 2021 in which some of the Malaysian lecturers will find similar case studies in Japan to bring back to Malaysia for application.
