THE country is not expected to face a water crisis like the one in 1998, although Malaysia is predicted to experience the El Nino phenomenon from June to September this year. 

National Water Services Commission (SPAN) regional operations division director Azrul Raimee Ramli is of this view after looking at the Malaysian Meteorological Department’s (MetMalaysia) weather report and current global warming effects.

Based on SPAN’s monitoring of the condition of 43 dams across the country, so far almost all dams have water levels above 90%.

“Only seven dams have seen the water level drop by almost 50%, but without breaching the warning level,” he said yesterday.

The seven dams are the Timah Tasoh Dam in Perlis, Air Itam and Teluk Bahang dams in Penang, Sungai Muda and Maulud dams in Kedah, Bukit Merah Dam in Perak, and Sembrong Dam in Johor.

He said to ensure uninterrupted water supply, SPAN constantly monitors the main dams in the peninsula and has established a preparedness plan that involves the cooperation of various parties.

In view of a crisis in water supply, such as the one that occurred in 1998, Azrul said the government could use the Water Services Industry Act 2006 (Act 655) to limit the rate of consumption for major usage to ensure continuity of water supply. – Bernama, June 2, 2023.