SHAH ALAM: Selangor has about nine months' supply of water in storage and can mitigate the impact of the El Nino phenomenon.
State infrastructure and agriculture committee chairman Izham Hashim said dams in the state have enough water in storage for six months and more in water retention ponds for another three months.
"We are now in the process of ensuring all supplies are connected so it can be used when needed," he told the media during a working visit to the Klang River conservation project site here on Thursday (Feb 8).
He said the state government's efforts were in line with a study conducted by the National Water Research Institute of Malaysia (Nahrim), which expects drought to hit the country in 2026.
"The country was last hit by drought in 2014. It will eventually return and we have to plan and prepare and hope it's not severe," he said.
During his visit, Izham said the project involved work to deepen and widen the 56km-long Klang River, strengthen slopes and construct bunds.
The project is expected to be completed in 2028, involving a cost of RM700mil.
However, he said efforts to dredge the river are difficult due to the accumulation of rubbish and sediment on the riverbed, adding some deposits were up to three metres high compared to the river's depth of four metres.
"Huge items such as tyres and furniture as well as plastics can impede the excavator. We hope that the addition of a cutter suction dredger can manage this problem better," he said.
Izham said the project aims to increase the capacity of the Klang River by 40%. – Bernama
