Flood disaster in the construction industry: How do Malaysians cope?

Purpose Malaysia’s tropical climate and ground-level terrain, with its intense rainfall, have made the country very vulnerable to floods. This study aims to investigate flood disasters in the construction industry, examining challenges and current flood disaster management (FDM) practices while suggesting strategies for better FDM. Design/methodology/approach This research uses a mixed-methods approach to study Malaysia’s construction industry. The study used an exhaustive literature review of previous works and structured questionnaires as the main data collection methods. Findings It was noted that integrated resilient construction is essential for FDM in the construction industry. In addition, the shortcomings of current FDM practices highlight the need for a stricter approach. Resilient construction based on the holistic support of a geographic information system is crucial in improving flood risk assessment. Practical implications The findings have important implications for the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) Malaysia. CIDB plays a vital role in developing, regulating and improving practices in the construction sector. By pin-pointing the key weaknesses in current construction practices, this research provided evidence-based suggestions that CIDB can integrate into national disaster risk management frameworks, contractor accreditation programs and construction standards. Originality/value The originality of this study rests on considering the coping mechanisms used by the stakeholders of Malaysian construction industry in response to flood disaster. In contrast to past studies that were focusing on the impacts on macro-level policies, this study stressed on industry operational responses and specific localized and adaptive strategies.