Malaysia, Malacca: Water woes loom in Malacca with three dams critical

The Star 25 Oct 16;

MALACCA: The problem is not just in Selangor. A water crisis is looming in Malacca, too, with three dams nearing critical levels.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron said Durian Tunggal Dam was at 37m, just 2m from the danger level while the other two dams were also reaching critical stages.

“We have no choice but to activate water rationing if this situation continues.

“Any rationing exercise will be done with careful consideration and on a 12-hour rotation basis to allow households to store water,” he said after the tabling of the state budget yesterday.

Idris acknowledged that the state was experiencing heavy downpours but there was no rain over the three dams.

He said that the state govern­­­ment con­­ducted cloud seeding yesterday.

Idris said alternative measures had to be considered as the levels at other major dams – Jus and Asahan Dams in Jasin – were also at dissatisfactory levels.

“I was informed that it rained in several parts of the state but not over the catchment areas,” he said.

Ayer Keroh assemblyman Khoo Poay Tiong asked the state government to immediately look into the water shortage in the state.

“The dams are drying up fast. It’s just a matter of time before we have a crisis like in 1991,” he said.

A drought in late 1991 and a mistake in monitoring the Durian Tunggal Dam level has been blamed for the worst water crisis to have hit Malacca.