Floods loom in the north as river levels rise

Reports by GERARD GIMINO, MOHD FARHAAN SHAH, IMRAN HILMY and MANJIT KAUR

PETALING JAYA: While Perak has already been hit by floods after Sungai Bidor in Changkat Jong, Hilir Perak breached the danger level with a reading of 4.05m, Kedah will have to brace for possible floods soon.

Two rivers in the state – Sungai Chepir at Batu 5, Sik (32.82m) and Sungai Pendang in Pendang (2.57m) – have breached warning levels, along with Empangan Timah Tasuh in Padang Besar, Perlis (29.51m).

A danger level reading indicates that the rising river level has caused considerable flooding, which requires evacuation.

The warning level indicates that levels are nearing flooding and to prepare for evacuation efforts.

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All leave has been frozen until the end of December for officers and personnel from the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) and the Public Works Department of Perak.

“The officers should monitor the areas at least every week, or daily if need be. They should also monitor water sources and catchment areas,” said state exco member Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin.

Throughout the country, 15 other rivers breached their regular capacities late yesterday evening. According to data from the Irrigation and Drainage Department (DID) portal, rivers in Perak, Kedah, Perlis, Selangor, Melaka, Negri Sembilan, Sarawak, Pahang and Johor are all at alert levels.

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In Perak, Sungai Kinta in Weir Tg. Tualang is at 13.36 m, while in Kedah, Sungai Anak Bukit in Kota Setar also breached the alert level (1.4m). Water levels at all Kedah rivers are rising.

Three rivers in Selangor also breached alert levels.

They are Sungai Langat in Hulu Langat (89.8m), Sungai Bernam in Hulu Selangor (18.1 m), and Sungai Klang in Klang (2.5m).

In Melaka, the Sungai Melaka Barrage breached alert levels with readings of 0.96 m, while Sungai Temiang in Seremban, Negri Sembilan, is at 57.72m. In Pahang, Sungai Kechau in Lipis is at 80.1m.

In Sarawak, Benawa and Batu Niah Bazaar in Miri exceeded alert levels at 6.69m and 3.55 m, respectively.

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As of press time, water levels at locations across Selangor, Johor and Melaka also experienced rising levels.

In Selangor, they were Sungai Langat at Batu 15, Sungai Langat at Batu 20, and Sungai Semenyih in Hulu Langat, and Sungai Bernam and Sungai Kerling in Hulu Selangor.

In Johor, Sungai Tebrau and Kolam Air in Kulai experienced rising water levels. Also experiencing an increase was Sungai Kesang in Jasin, Melaka.

Fire and Rescue Department deputy director-general (operations) Datuk Nor Hisham Mohamad said more than 1,000 assets have been put on standby in preparation for any emergencies.There were 466 light vehicles, 112 heavy vehicles, and 572 marine vehicles in total. There are 300 four-wheel drives, 88 Kembara mobiles, and 78 vans ready for deployment as light vehicles; 63 five-tonne trucks and 49 three-tonne trucks are heavy vehicles; and 473 aluminium boats, 85 fibreglass boats, eight Rigid Inflatable Boats, and six Amphibious Rigid Inflatable Boats are ready for deployment as marine vehicles.

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On potential flood hotspots nationwide, Nor Hisham said 5,648 locations have been identified.

Sarawak had the highest number at 1,066, then Sabah (798), Pahang (750), Johor (745), Kelantan (617), Perak (286), Selangor (271), Kedah (260), Terengganu (258), Penang (241), Melaka (124), Negri Sembilan (120), Kuala Lumpur (73), Perlis (22) and Labuan (17).

Some 254 locations have also been identified as “critical slopes” and 186 being at risk for water surges.

Nor Hisham said those in flood-prone areas should keep their important documents secure and be prepared to evacuate at any time.