GOF Sarawak develops sensor for flood early-warning system

KUCHING (Feb 28): The General Operations Force (GOF) Sarawak Brigade has developed a sensor system capable of detecting sudden water surges from a distance of up to five kilometres, enhancing early-warning capabilities in disaster-prone areas.

GOF Sarawak in a statement said the system was developed by its personnel, encompassing coding, detection algorithms and sensor programming, making it a high-impact local innovation in disaster management.

The brigade said conventional reactive approaches are often insufficient to prevent tragedies, as warnings are typically issued only after strong currents have already hit downstream areas.

By then, victims may have been swept and property damage may have occurred.

The newly developed system is able to detect sudden changes in water level, pressure and current waves up to five kilometres before the surge reaches high-risk areas such as riverside villages, picnic spots, recreational areas and campsites.

“With early detection, warnings can be issued promptly, allowing residents and visitors to relocate to safety before the surge reaches affected locations,” the statement read.

GOF Sarawak said the system’s uniqueness also lies in its ability to calculate the speed of the water surge.

“By analysing data from multiple sensor points, including changes in water level and pressure, the system can estimate the speed of the current, predict its arrival time at specific locations and determine risk levels based on the strength and velocity of the flow.

“This information is crucial, as fast-moving surges provide very limited response time. Accurate speed data allows authorities to issue more targeted warnings according to risk zones,” it said.

The sensor system is designed to operate across various terrains, including hilly areas, inland river routes, dense forests and remote settlements. It does not rely on internet connectivity, instead functioning autonomously through alternative communication methods and long-range signal transmission.

“This makes the sensor system suitable for areas without network coverage, particularly in Sarawak, which has an extensive river network and many interior regions,” the brigade added.

The innovation was among the inventions presented during the New Horizon Innovative and Creative (KIK) briefing session and Anugerah Inovasi PDRM (AIPDRM) 2026 held at the GOF Sarawak Brigade headquarters here on Thursday.

The event was attended by GOF Sarawak commander SAC Lim Bak Phai, his deputy ACP Rosdi Inai, and senior officers from GOF Battalions 10, 11, 12 and 23.

According to GOF Sarawak, the briefing session provided a platform for teams to present innovations developed under the KIK concept, which emphasised creative thinking, systematic problem-solving and continuous improvement in service delivery and operations.

Each team presented detailed explanations of their products, including development objectives, implementation methods, operational impact, and potential cost and time savings.