Rivers in five states reach worrying levels

Dangerous heights: Sungai Klang has recorded a water level of 4.81m.

PETALING JAYA: Water levels in several rivers nationwide have reached worrying heights, sparking fears of flooding.

Warnings have been issued in five states after water exceeded normal levels, said the Drainage and Irrigation Department’s online flood information website (which provides up to date data on river water levels).

The rivers are in Perak, Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Johor and Sabah.

As of 6.30pm yesterday, the water level along Sungai Padas in Sabah exceeded dangerous levels.

At the station in Beaufort, the water level was 8.79m, well above the normal level of 4.5m for that area, according to the website.

On Wednesday, 468 people in the area were evacuated and placed in relief centres.

In Klang, the Kampung Jawa station along the Sungai Klang area recorded water level of 4.81m.

The normal water level is 3m. Anything above 4.7m constitutes “danger”, which comes with a warning of potential flooding in the area.

The water level of Sungai Muar in Negri Sembilan is 62.53m, above the normal level of 61.8m.

Sungai Perak is currently at 112.09m, just under a metre below its danger level.

Johor’s Sungai Sayong has hit 15.30m, one metre above its regular height of 14.3m.

For the latest statistics on river water levels, visit infobanjir.water.gov.my.

Meanwhile, Bernama reported that as of 10am yesterday, 1,327 people nationwide were told to move to evacuation centres.