Challenges in Preparation and Implementation of Dam Safety Emergency Plan for Hydroelectric Plants in Sarawak

Dam Safety Emergency Plan (DSEP) is a management document for safety and emergency events like flood and earthquake affecting the dam and appurtenant structures. The document aids the dam owner to detect early warnings, strategize their remedial measures, develop evacuation plan and identify the right person to execute the plan. The paper describes the challenges in preparation and implementation of the DSEP for Hydroelectric Plants namely Batang Ai Hydroelectric Plant and Murum-Bakun hydroelectric plant. During preparation of the DSEP, information gathered from Hydrological review and inundation maps are used to develop a notification flowchart which assisted the Emergency Management Team (EMT) during Dam Safety Event and Emergencies. Meanwhile, challenges during the implementation of DSEP are coordinating and educating the staff working at respective Hydroelectric Plants; communication and in-house competency. Post mortem session after tabletop exercise and on-site drill were conducted to ensure challenges were documented for future improvement.