Urgent Call for Tree Management and Storm Preparedness in Penang

Weather forecasts predict that parts of Malaysia will experience four to six heavy rain episodes between November 2024 and March 2025. Tropical storms, flooding, and droughts are becoming more frequent and less predictable, deviating from the usual seasonal norms. In light of this, the Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) urges the government to adopt proactive, preventive measures – especially when it comes to tree planting and maintenance.

The storms that swept through the northern peninsula on 15 and 18 September leaving a trail of destruction, serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need to rethink how we can reduce the impact of future storms. As we face the challenges of global warming, traditional approaches may no longer be sufficient to adapt to increasingly erratic weather patterns.

We deeply regret the loss of lives during Penang’s encounters with two of the most significant storms in recent history: 4–5 November 2017, and 15–18 September 2024. In the 2017 storm, a weather station near Kepala Batas recorded a staggering 946 mm of rain – close to 40% of Penang’s average annual rainfall[1] – between 3 and 6 November^[2], accompanied by wind speeds up to 44 km/h[3]. During the recent September storm, wind speeds reached 41 km/h on 17 September[4], nearly four times the average daily wind speed.

Sustained strong winds weaken tree root systems over time, increasing the likelihood of trees toppling during storms. However, this risk can be significantly reduced through preventive measures.

From another perspective, Malaysia must join other nations in greening urban landscapes to help slow the global warming crisis. To counter the “urban heat island” (UHI) effect, Malaysia must join other countries in greening urban landscapes. Planting trees and shrubs in urban areas cools the environment by providing shade and enabling evapotranspiration.

In January 2021, a healthy 10-metre-high raintree fell on Perak Road, tragically killing a man. Although the tree was certified as healthy and had been transplanted by a certified arborist in 2018, a botanist later suggested that the roots may have been excessively trimmed during transplanting, likely contributing to its fall.

We strongly urge those involved in infrastructure projects to avoid covering or injuring surface roots, as this can weaken the tree’s foundation, even if the tree appears to be “growing well.” Damage to surface roots deprives trees of essential nutrients and moisture. We have seen cases where roots were layered with concrete or road materials to accommodate traffic or pedestrians, a practice that severely compromises the health of the tree.

Roadside trees should be regularly inspected, with dead, hollow, or diseased trees removed promptly. Trees with large canopies must be pruned before the monsoon season, especially older trees that require periodic professional maintenance. Proper pruning keeps the canopy balanced and ensures that strong, healthy branches are retained. Additionally, trimming roots for road widening or construction should be avoided, as this weakens a tree’s stability. Soggy soil and compromised root systems are the primary causes of trees falling during storms. Building roads and structures over a tree’s root system also reduces its critical dripline, an area crucial to its stability and health.

While Malaysia is working to combat climate change and global warming, the country should also focus on lowering its carbon emissions and reducing fossil fuel use by:

• Improving its public transportation system.
• Promote energy conservation and efficiency with governmental policies and incentives.
• To address climate change, adopt the creation of sponge cities.
• Planting more trees with deep root systems, as well as bushes and shrubs.

In light of the recent storms, which uprooted over 200 trees in Penang, we call on the government to implement preventive measures. CAP recommends planting deep-rooted species, conducting regular inspections of roadside trees, and avoiding root damage during construction. Given the increasing severity of storms due to climate change, CAP emphasizes the importance of improving tree management and enhancing public safety precautions.

Mohideen Abdul Kader
President
Consumers Association of Penang

Letter to the Editor, 29 October 2024

[1]Wikipedia. Penang.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penang

[2]FloodList (6 Nov 2017). Malaysia – Severe Storm and Floods Leave 7 Dead, 10,000 Displaced. https://floodlist.com/asia/malaysia-penang-kedah-floods-november-2017

[3]TimeAndDate. Penang Weather History for 3 November 2017. https://www.timeanddate.com/weather/malaysia/penang/historic?month=11&year=2017

[4] TimeAndDate. Penang Weather History for 17 September 2024. https://www.timeanddate.com/weather/malaysia/penang/historic