Kuching is situated in one of the most vulnerable regions for flood disaster, with average rainfall at almost 4 metres per year. A combination of natural conditions and rapid urbanisation is exacerbating flooding. Climate change compounds the problem and has resulted in extreme flood events becoming more frequent. With over 10 incidents exceeding 100-year return periods between 2003 and 2012. Flooding in 2007 resulted in economic losses of USD$605 million (MYR 2,400 million). More recently in February 2018 over 5,500 people were evacuated due to flooding.