Treffer: Demystifying Community Vulnerability to Monsoon Flooding via Tweets: Evidence from Peninsular Malaysia.

Flooding poses a significant challenge, disrupting daily routines and harming individuals globally. Amidst disaster events, social media platforms have evolved into formidable instruments for disseminating information and fostering public engagement. This study uses social media analytics aims to understand the dynamics of community vulnerability to floods in Peninsular Malaysia. Peninsular Malaysia was chosen as the research area due to its susceptibility to floods, particularly during the northeast monsoon season in 2023 (February to March). Using a mixed-method approach, the study collected and analyzed over 500 tweets containing the keyword "banjir" (flood) using Python programming and Jupyter Notebook. Through data preprocessing including tweets filtering, non-English words translation, and removal of unique characters, 586 relevant tweets were identified, shedding light on regional variations in flood concerns. Findings revealed distinct posting patterns due to their exposure, sensitivity, and adaptation, with most originating from southern states such as Johor, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, and Selangor. The study illuminates the importance of leveraging social media analytics to understand community vulnerability, aiding in formulating effective disaster management strategies. Practical Application: Flooding is a critical challenge in Peninsular Malaysia, particularly during the northeast monsoon season. This study leverages social media analytics to explore community vulnerability to floods, using over 500 tweets with the keyword "banjir" (flood) as data. By analyzing public sentiment and flood-related discussions, this research identifies key patterns of exposure, sensitivity, and adaptation among communities. The findings provide valuable insights for policymakers and disaster management agencies. For example, the study highlights that urban areas like Selangor and Johor face higher exposure due to dense populations and urban infrastructure challenges. Conversely, less populated rural areas often demonstrate lower sensitivity but still require attention due to limited resources and access to information. Real-time social media data also reveals how communities adapt, from historical practices like elevated housing to modern strategies like leveraging social networks for assistance. This research emphasizes the potential of social media as a tool for disaster preparedness and response. Policymakers can use these insights to develop targeted strategies, such as improving infrastructure in high-risk areas and promoting community-driven adaptation efforts. By understanding the public's experiences and needs, this study contributes to more effective flood mitigation and enhanced community resilience in the face of natural disasters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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