KUCHING, Feb 26 2026: Sarawak Brigade General Operations Force (PGA) has created a history of sorts when it successfully innovated a sensor that detects the presence of phenomenon of water heads from a distance of up to five kilometres.
Caption: Sarawak Brigade Commander SAC Lim BakPhai (left) looking at the sensor
The system was developed entirely by members of the PGA, including in terms of coding, detection algorithms and sensor programmes, making it a local innovation with high impact in disaster management.
The brigade commander SAC Lim Bak Phai said the phenomenon of water heads often occurs suddenly due to heavy rain in the upstream area of a river.
“Usually, warnings are only issued after the strong current has hit the downstream area, when victims may have been washed away or damage has occurred.,” he said in a statement.
He added this situation can cause loss of life, victims drifting far from their original location and property damage
He said in the case of high risk to visitors to recreational areas, conventional, reactive approaches are often insufficient to prevent tragedy.
He added the developed sensor is capable of detecting sudden changes in water levels, pressure and current waves from a distance of up to 5km before the water head reaches hotspot areas such as villages near rivers, picnic centres, recreational areas and campsites.
“With this early detection, warnings can be issued earlier to allow people to save themselves before the water head reaches a risky location,” Lim said.
“An additional uniqueness of this system is its ability to detect and calculate the speed of water head movement.
“Through data analysis of water level and pressure changes at several sensor points, the system can estimate the speed of the rapid current, predict the arrival time to a certain area and determine the level of risk based on the speed and strength of the flow,” Lim explaned.
He stressed that this information is very important because water heads that move at high speed provide a shorter response time.
“With accurate speed data, authorities can issue more specific and targeted warnings according to risk zones,” he said.
Lim explained that the system can operate in all conditions including without Internet, adding that the sensor is designed to function in a variety of terrain conditions including hilly areas, inland river courses, dense forest areas and remote settlements.
“More significantly, the system is not completely dependent on internet access. It is capable of operating autonomously using alternative communication systems and long-distance signal transmission suitable for areas without network coverage.
“This capability makes it very relevant for states like Sarawak which have many inland areas and extensive river networks,” Lim explained.
“With the combination of 5km detection range, the ability to measure water head speed and operation without internet, this innovation has the potential to become a new benchmark in disaster early warning systems in Malaysia.
“This Sarawak Brigade initiative proves that local expertise is capable of producing technology that is practical, effective and truly life-saving,” Lim said.
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