AS parts of Malaysia brace for water shortages due to an extended dry spell, the country’s water regulator warned that other high-density areas, too, must be on alert.

Although the levels at dams in Selangor and Johor are adequate, the National Water Service Commission (Span) told The Malaysian Insight that residents should not be lulled into thinking their taps will not run dry.

This is because treated water consumption increases as temperatures go up, causing dam levels to go down faster, said chairman Charles Santiago.

Such was the situation last year, when parts of the country were forced to ration water because dam levels fell due to the dry season.

The Meteorology Department (Met Malaysia) said high temperatures in the northern part of the peninsula, and parts of Pahang and Kelantan are expected from next month to April.

For states that are already water-stressed, such as Penang, Kedah, Perlis and Perak, their governments should order a halt to car washes and instruct businesses to recycle water, said Santiago.

“Rainfall patterns are now unpredictable because of climate change, and weather events are more intense. Dry seasons last longer, and when it rains, it pours and floods.

“So, we cannot be in a lull during the dry season and just hope for rain to come.”

Unlike electricity and telecommunications services, Malaysians tend to take treated water for granted because of the misconception that the country gets an abundance of rain.

This attitude ignores the fact that rainwater has to be collected for it to be treated, and overlooks the high costs of processing that water.

“Just because it rains in your areas, it does not mean that it is raining in water catchment areas, where all our raw water comes from,” said Santiago.

“Malaysians cannot assume that just because it rains, there will be water in their taps.”

Contingency plans

On Tuesday, Malacca became the latest state to warn residents of possible water rationing as the level at its main dam fell to 46%.

Chief Minister Adly Zahari said the state government is drawing up plans to ensure there is enough water for households until April.

Kedah, Penang and Perlis are already bracing for water rationing as the levels at three Kedah dams – Pedu, Muda and Ahning – are dangerously low due to a lack of rain since last month.

Met Malaysia said the rainfall last month in Kedah, Penang, Perlis, Terengganu and Kelantan dropped by 20% to 40% compared with previous years.

About 4,000 padi growers in Kedah and Penang are also seeing their fields drying out.

“The country is currently in the second phase of the northeast monsoon, which is expected to end in March. This phase will see reduced rainfall except in western Sabah and Sarawak,” said the department.

“The dry weather in the peninsula is expected to continue until the middle or end of March, before the start of the intermonsoon season.”

The intermonsoon season typically starts in March and goes on till May, bringing thunderstorms in the evening, especially on the west coast of the peninsula and in western Sabah.

States on the west coast of the peninsula will also usually receive their highest annual rainfall during these months, said Met Malaysia.

“However, high temperatures can be seen between February and April in northern peninsula states, and rural Kelantan and Pahang. But, we do not expect any exceptional, extreme hot weather for 2020.” 

It said temperatures in Kedah and Perlis can go as high as 36ºC and 37ºC when it does not rain for two weeks.

“Usually, heatwaves occur during the El Nino phenomenon, and to date, the phenomenon is not taking place this year.”  

The department said for the first half of this year, temperatures in Penang can range from 31.5ºC to 36.2ºC, Kedah (32.2ºC-35.2ºC) and Perlis (32.2ºC–35ºC). – January 25, 2020.