THE EXPLORATION OF STRENGTHENING ELEMENTS FOR COMMUNITY AWARENESS IN FACING FLOOD DISASTERS IN THE NORTHERN ZONE OF PENINSULAR MALAYSIA

Flood disasters have occurred for many years, with trends showing an increase in both frequency and magnitude, posing threats to lives and property. Therefore, there is a need to explore elements that can influence community awareness and preparedness in facing flood disasters. The objective of this study is to explore the appropriate elements for strengthening community awareness in flood disaster management in the Northern Zone of Peninsular Malaysia. This study involves the northern states of Kedah and Perak. It is a preliminary study that employs a qualitative approach, where data collection is conducted through focus group discussions using a semi-structured question protocol. The data is then analysed using thematic analysis techniques with the assistance of Atlas.ti 23.0 software. The findings of this study have identified three main themes that shape and influence community awareness, namely, the community's knowledge of disasters, their experience in dealing with disasters, and their attitudes towards disaster response. This research also provides deeper insights into how communities understand, plan, and respond to flood risks. The findings are expected to contribute valuable perspectives towards developing more effective strategies and interventions in the field of flood risk management in Malaysia.