Resilient Communities: Adapting to Flood Disasters in Kemaman, Terengganu, Malaysia and Padang City, Indonesia

Abstract

Community resilience in facing floods is largely determined by people’s ability to adapt to the flood itself. Normally, people do not live in disaster-prone areas; however, in Kemaman, Terengganu, Malaysia and Padang City, West Sumatra, Indonesia, people continue to live in flood-prone areas. This paper aims to discuss the community’s response to flood disasters and analyse the level of resilience, the relationship between education level and community resilience and adaptation to floods in Kemaman and Padang. This study uses a quantitative method with a survey study design. The research sample was determined using the Krejcie and Morgan table with a random sampling technique. Data collection tools included questionnaires and data collection techniques such as field observations and interviews, and data were analysed using simple linear regression. The findings of the study indicate that the community responds quickly and with great initiative in dealing with floods. The level of community resilience is relatively high, while the relationship between resilience and education level is not significant. Adaptation strategies carried out include raising the foundations of the house, making an attic in the house, making a floating raft house and strengthening cooperation in maintaining the cleanliness of the river and drainage. This study has implications for the formulation of community-based disaster mitigation policies and the planning of settlements that are more resilient to disasters. Further research can explore other socioeconomic factors that contribute to community resilience in dealing with floods.