Sarawak GOF develops homegrown sensor that detects ‘kepala air’ from 5km away

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By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, Feb 26: Sarawak’s General Operations Force (GOF) has developed an innovative sensor system capable of detecting the presence of ‘kepala air’ (headwater) up to five kilometres before it strikes high-risk areas.

Sarawak GOF Brigade Commander Lim Bak Phai, in a recent statement, said the system was fully designed and built by Sarawak GOF personnel, including its coding, detection algorithms and sensor programming.

He said the technology addresses a long-standing weakness in conventional flood warning systems, which are often reactive and only issue alerts after kepala air has already struck downstream areas.

“Kepala air usually occurs suddenly following heavy rainfall upstream. By the time warnings are issued, victims may already have been swept away or property damage has occurred.

“The phenomenon poses serious risks including loss of life, people being carried far from their original location, destruction of property and danger to visitors at recreational and camping sites,” he reportedly said during the Innovative and Creative Products Briefing Session (New Horizon KIK) and the Polis Diraja Malaysia Innovation Awards (AIPDRM) 2026 recently.

He further said the newly developed sensor can detect sudden changes in water level, pressure and flow waves up to five kilometres before the kepala air reaches hotspot areas such as riverside villages, picnic spots, recreational areas and campsites.

“With this early detection, authorities can issue advance warnings to allow the public to evacuate and take safety measures before the kepala air arrives,” he added.

According to Lim, one unique feature of the system is its ability to measure and calculate the speed of the moving kepala air.

By analysing data from multiple sensor points, the system can estimate the speed of fast-moving currents, predict the time of arrival at specific locations, and determine risk levels based on flow strength and velocity.

He also said the sensor system is designed to operate in challenging environments such as hilly terrain, remote river routes, dense forests and isolated settlements.

More importantly, it does not rely fully on internet connectivity.

“It can function autonomously using alternative communication systems and long-distance signal transmission, making it suitable for areas without network coverage.

“This capability is especially relevant for Sarawak, which has vast interior regions and an extensive river network,” Lim stressed. — DayakDaily

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