Challenges of Using a Geographic Information System (GIS) in Managing Flash Floods in Shah Alam, Malaysia

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

1.This paper discusses the challenges of GIS in the field of flash flood management in Malaysia, which is of great significance for local disaster management.

2. GIS technology has been widely used in the field of natural disasters and has achieved remarkable results. This paper analyzes and discusses the practical problems existing in Malaysia. The research results are not representative of the whole field and are only of reference value to Malaysia.

3. In contrast to existing research, the study focuses on surveying different sectors and groups in Malaysia, and then analyzes potential problems to come up with solutions. There is nothing new in terms of technology or data.

4. The authors should further summarize and discuss the new GIS technology, and then find out the method that is more suitable for natural disaster monitoring and management in Malaysia.

5. The paper should add the new GIS technology related literature.

6. The paper figure needs further specification, e.g Figure 3 needs to add the necessary map elements.

7. The main research object of this paper is flash flood, but the first two paragraphs of the introduction are mostly about natural disasters, so it is suggested that the author should focus more on flash flood in the research background.

Comments on the Quality of English Language

Minor editing of English language required.

Author Response

Reviewer 1

Comment 1. This paper discusses the challenges of GIS in the field of flash flood management in Malaysia, which is of great significance for local disaster management.

Response: Thank you for your comments and suggestions. We modified the entire manuscript.

Comment 2. GIS technology has been widely used in the field of natural disasters and has achieved remarkable results. This paper analyzes and discusses the practical problems existing in Malaysia. The research results are not representative of the whole field and are only of reference value to Malaysia.

Response: The main focus of this study is only in the Malaysian context.

Comment 3. In contrast to existing research, the study focuses on surveying different sectors and groups in Malaysia, and then analyzes potential problems to come up with solutions. There is nothing new in terms of technology or data.

Response: Based on the 21 interviews in Shah Alam, flood-related issues and losses are acknowledged and applied for flood management in Shah Alam, Malaysia towards sustainable development. 

Comment 4. The authors should further summarize and discuss the new GIS technology, and then find out the method that is more suitable for natural disaster monitoring and management in Malaysia.

Response: The new GIS technologies are added in the manuscript Line number 720 – 741.

Comment 5. The paper should add the new GIS technology related literature.

Response: Some new GIS technology-related literature is added in the manuscript introduction section. Line number 67 – 94.

Comment 6. The paper figure needs further specification, e.g Figure 3 needs to add the necessary map elements.

Response: Figure modified.

Comment 7. The main research object of this paper is flash flood, but the first two paragraphs of the introduction are mostly about natural disasters, so it is suggested that the author should focus more on flash flood in the research background.

Response: The introduction section is modified based on the comments and suggestions. Line number 67 – 94.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Your well-organised manuscript addresses significant challenges in managing flash floods using GIS in Shah Alam. To improve, ensure the abstract clearly states the research problem and key findings and provides a more critical analysis in the literature review. Additionally, the discussion should compare your findings with existing studies for a balanced view.

Comments on the Quality of English Language

 Minor editing of English language required

Author Response

Comment 1: Your well-organised manuscript addresses significant challenges in managing flash floods using GIS in Shah Alam.

Response: Thank you for your comments and suggestions. We modified the entire manuscript.

Comment 2: To improve, ensure the abstract clearly states the research problem and key findings and provides a more critical analysis in the literature review.

Response: The abstract section is modified. Line numbers 19 – 26, and 30 – 37.

Comment 3: Additionally, the discussion should compare your findings with existing studies for a balanced view.

Response: The discussion section is modified based on the comments. Line number 720 – 741.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

This is an interesting article in examining the value of GIS for enhancing predictions for flash flood events and informing preparation and response associated with these events.

 

Introduction.

A discussion of other hazards is not needed in the introduction.  Focusing on the causes of flash floods and impacts would provide for a stronger and clearer introduction. I would recommend removing lines 46-66

Figure 1 is not contextualized and does not appear to be connected to the text above and below it

Methods

The methods section should provide more description of the sample frame- how were interviewees selected. The authors should include the description of the quadruple helix model in the literature review as well as the Sendai Framework.  The methods section should also include more description of the thematic analysis.  Was intercoder reliability conducted?  The discussion of the use of the software is not necessary.

Results

The results do not necessarily provide any new insights on the use of GIS to map flood areas and impacts.  What would strengthen this section is to focus on how this is most relevant for this area, rural areas, prone to flood rather than a more generalized description of the opportunities and barriers to using GIS.  Section 4.2 is the strongest and clearest section in the Results section of the paper, as it provides newer insights into the overall research question.

Discussion

Editing will improve this section, but it is one of the strongest in the paper

Comments on the Quality of English Language

One major concern is the need for extensive editing of the paper to improve sentence structure and flow.  The key points are captured in the text, but it would benefit from a substantial revision to improve clarity. For example, in the case of this sentence on lines 84-88 is difficult to understand

An extensive and satisfactory presentation of the GIS-oriented considered and this is still prosperous, thanks to the easy access  to high- and moderate-resolution geospatial datasets and the development of the computer hardware system performance collective through the overview of the spatial and analytics spatial statistics planned in the measurable geography

Author Response

General Comment: This is an interesting article in examining the value of GIS for enhancing predictions for flash flood events and informing preparation and response associated with these events.

Response: Thank you for your comments and suggestions. We modified the entire manuscript.

Introduction.

Comment 1: A discussion of other hazards is not needed in the introduction.  Focusing on the causes of flash floods and impacts would provide for a stronger and clearer introduction. I would recommend removing lines 46-66

Response: The entire manuscript is revised and modified. Please check the introduction section for your reference. This section is removed from the main manuscript. Line number 51 – 58.

Comment 2: Figure 1 is not contextualized and does not appear to be connected to the text above and below it.

Response: Figure 1 is checked and some information on Figure 1. Line number 104 – 107.

Methods

Comment 3: The methods section should provide more description of the sample frame- how were interviewees selected. The authors should include the description of the quadruple helix model in the literature review as well as the Sendai Framework.  

Response: The method section is modified and the selection of the interviewers is Added. Line numbers 351 – 368.

Comment 4: The methods section should also include more description of the thematic analysis.  Was intercoder reliability conducted?  The discussion of the use of the software is not necessary.

Response: Method section revised. Line number 396 – 401.

Results

Comment 5: The results do not necessarily provide any new insights on the use of GIS to map flood areas and impacts.  What would strengthen this section is to focus on how this is most relevant for this area, rural areas, prone to flood rather than a more generalized description of the opportunities and barriers to using GIS.  

Response: Some recent GIS techniques including machine learning applications are added in section 4.5.5. Line number 720 – 741.

Comment 6: Section 4.2 is the strongest and clearest section in the Results section of the paper, as it provides newer insights into the overall research question.

Response: Thank you for your positive comments on this manuscript.

Discussion

Comment 7: Editing will improve this section, but it is one of the strongest in the paper

Response: The discussion section is also modified and some GIS-oriented recent techniques are added with machine learning applications.

English Language

Comment 8: One major concern is the need for extensive editing of the paper to improve sentence structure and flow.  The key points are captured in the text, but it would benefit from a substantial revision to improve clarity. For example, in the case of this sentence on lines 84-88 is difficult to understand

Response: The entire manuscript is checked with a native English speaker. Certificate attached.

Comment 9: An extensive and satisfactory presentation of the GIS-oriented considered and this is still prosperous, thanks to the easy access to high- and moderate-resolution geospatial datasets and the development of the computer hardware system performance collective through the overview of the spatial and analytics spatial statistics planned in the measurable geography

Response: Thank you for your positive comments on this manuscript.

We look forward to hearing from you regarding our submission and to responding to any further questions and comments you may have.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The authors made changes according to the comments, but there are still the following problems:

1. In Line 94, figure 1 is not put together with the title.

2. Add the north pointer and scale information in Figure 3.

Author Response

To

The Editor

Sustainability

 

Dear Editor,

Thank you for allowing me to submit a revised draft of my manuscript titled “Challenges of Geographic Information System (GIS) to manage flash floods at Shah Alam, Malaysia” to Sustainability. We appreciate the editor and reviewers for the time and effort that you have dedicated to providing your valuable feedback on my manuscript.

Here is the point-by-point response to the reviewer's comments and concerns.

 

Comments from Reviewer:

 

Reviewer 1

Comment 1. The authors made changes according to the comments, but there are still the following problems:

1. In Line 94, figure 1 is not put together with the title.

Response: Thank you for your comments and suggestions. We modified Figure 1 with the title. Please check line number 94 and Figure 1 for your reference.

Comment 2. Add the north pointer and scale information in Figure 3.

Response: Added in Figure 3.

We look forward to hearing from you regarding our submission and to responding to any further questions and comments you may have.

 

Author Response File: Author Response.docx