Modelling of sea level rise and river system

Purpose - This paper aims to present a hydrodynamic river modelling by incorporating river flow and sea-level rise interactions. Design/methodology/approach - Predicted sea levels from renowned studies are put to test on flow scenarios of the Sarawak River in the deltaic city of Kuching, Malaysia. Three cases are drawn for investigation, including one extreme flood event, one normal flow with low tide, and another normal flow with spring tide. Findings - The model predicts a' worst case that nearly 5-6 km(2) of urban land along the Lower Sarawak River would be under water due to the rise. Practical implications - Such an indication would draw a clearer picture for strategy and mitigation planning. Originality/value - Generally sea level estimation involves ocean-atmospheric modelling. However, the paper argues here that a river model is credible for practical hydrological site-specific analysis to include increase of sea levels.