Sungai Selangor Dam water level still low despite rain

PETALING JAYA: Recent heavy rain has failed to raise the water level to an optimum level of 55% at the Sungai Selangor Dam and the anticipated El Nino phenomenon next month could lead to rationing for millions in the Klang Valley.

S. Piarapakaran, president of the Association of Water Energy Re­­­search, said the south-west monsoon season, forecast to last until September, and the El Nino phenomenon could reduce water levels.

“The worry is that the El Nino will affect the rainfall pattern during the south-west monsoon and inter-monsoon period. Less rainfall means less water in the rivers and dams and more peat fires,” he said.

According to the Selangor Water Management Authority website, the water level at the dam stood at 42.53% as of 8am yesterday.

The water level was at 36.53% on March 31, 38.97% on April 23, before hitting the 40% mark on April 28, leading to the lifting of the water rationing exercise in Selangor, Putra­jaya and Kuala Lum­pur.

“Based on what happened early this year, the possibility of water rationing is still there,” said Piarapa­karan.

The Meteorological Department said the El Nino weather pattern would not effect the peninsula adver­sely but could cause a dry spell in Sabah and Sarawak.