Two million residents in the Klang Valley and Negri Sembilan might need to prepare themselves for water supply cuts in the immediate future, following critical water levels in three dams at Sungai Selangor, Klang Gates and Kelinchi. The Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry states these dams are currently operating at less than 60 per cent capacity.
Deputy Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid said, “If the dry spell continues, we may need to restrict water supply and this will affect two million residents in the Klang Valley and Putrajaya alone.”
The Sungai Selangor dam is left with 57.6 per cent of water, Klang Gates with 58 per cent, and Kelinchi with 58.6 per cent.
Mahdzir added that if the current heatwave hitting the country persists over the next 16 days, the water levels at these dams may drop to as low as 45 per cent of the total control voume.
The ministry stated that cloud-seeding exercises would take place if water levels continued to drop to critical levels.
Mahdzir said the current dry weather is not the only reason water levels at these dams are dropping, as increased demand from Klang Valley residents played a part as well. Several dams in the northern Peninsular states are also experiencing a lack of rainfall, but due to the manageable demands from their local residents, the water supplies in dams in Kedah, Penang and Perak were still under control.
A spokesperson from the concessionaire Syrikat Pengeluar Air Sungai Selangor Sdn Bhd (SPLASH) said that based on 10-year patterns, the dams were running low on water too early this year.
“Usually, this would take place in September. But this time around, it is taking place early in the year,” he said.
There may be further problems if it does not rain continuously until June. It is said the country would be experiencing another period of dry season from June to September.
“This is worrying as there may not be sufficient water in the dam by September,” he said.
Related: Syabas says KL’s water supply is running low. Again.
Source: The Malay Mail Online
