SELANGOR RED ALERT: Dam water level at all-time low

PETALING JAYA - Raw water supply at the Sungai Selangor dam dropped to an all-time low of 35.14%, according to the Selangor Water Management Board (Luas) on Saturday.

The statistics published on its website indicate that the dam, which supplies to some 60% of consumers in the Klang Valley, only has 80.83 million cubic metres left.

The Selangor government started rationing water in most areas in the state in March after raw water level at the Sungai Selangor dam dipped below the critical level of 37%, which had recently been reduced to 30%.

However, Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim has vowed not to impose a second round of rationing after facing public backlash when taps ran dry from late March to early May.

He also announced that water from the former mining pools in Bestari Jaya will be extracted to supplement raw water supply to prevent critical water shortage.

Meanwhile, Klang MP Charles Santiago called on the state government to immediately implement several measures to limit water consumption to a necessary minimal level.

These include shutting down car wash outlets and consumer education on water conservation.

Santiago also urged the state government to immediately start intensive cloud-seeding efforts and to establish a multi-stakeholder committee comprising environmental and consumer groups, including business and academics, to address the problem.

Water levels of respective dams are as listed below.

1. Batu dam – 83.24%

2. Klang Gates dam – 71.18%

3. Sungai Labu water retention pond – 61.09%

4. Langat dam – 64.08%

5. Semenyih dam – 79.63%

6. Sungai Selangor dam – 35.14%

7. Sungai Tinggi dam – 49.29%

8. Tasik Subang dam – 66.95%

-Sundaily