Kota bharu: Peatlands in Kelantan, which serve as natural water catchment areas, are increasingly threatened by open burning and land clearing for agricultural activities, raising concerns over a higher risk of flash floods in several parts of the state. State Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) director Farhan Sufyan Borhan said peatlands play a crucial role in storing water naturally due to their ability to absorb large volumes of water during heavy rainfall.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Farhan Sufyan described peatlands as a giant sponge that helps regulate water levels and reduce overflow into drainage systems and rivers. He warned that if peatlands are cleared for agriculture or affected by open burning, their capacity to absorb water would decline, causing water to flow directly into drainage systems and rivers. This, he noted, is why many flood incidents in Bachok are flash floods.

Farhan Sufyan pointed out that Kelantan has about 7,692 hectares of peatland, significantly smaller than Terengganu, which has more than 60,000 hectares. Most peatland areas in Kelantan are located in Bachok, Pasir Puteh, and Pasir Mas, which are identified as high-risk areas for open burning during the dry season. He added that peatland fires are particularly difficult to extinguish because they spread beneath the ground surface and require lengthy firefighting operations, sometimes taking up to 10 days to extinguish.

He noted that open burning in peatland areas is mainly believed to be carried out for land clearing and agricultural purposes. This practice, he said, not only harms the environment but can also cause significant losses to farmers when fires spread to crops such as oil palm and pineapples. He highlighted the long-term impact on agricultural productivity, as oil palm trees and pineapples take years to mature.

Farhan Sufyan also raised concerns about air quality, noting that smoke from peatland fires is more severe and could affect air quality. He emphasized the need for more Air Pollutant Index (API) monitoring stations in fire hotspot areas, as Kelantan currently only has two stations in Kota Bharu and Tanah Merah. He urged the public to refrain from open burning during the dry season to prevent environmental and public safety hazards.