By Selangor Journal Team
SHAH ALAM, Sept 3 — The Selangor government has begun reducing the water storage capacity of its dams in preparation for the northeast monsoon, which is expected to start in November.
State executive councillor for infrastructure Izham Hashim said the optimal release of the water conducted by the Selangor Water Management Authority (Luas) was initiated beginning August 16 and will continue until September 30.
He said the storage capacity of six of Selangor’s seven dams will be reduced to 90 per cent, with only the Klang Gates Dam to be reduced to 85 per cent.
“This is part of Luas’ initiative to ensure sufficient capacity in all dams to prepare for potential heavy rainfall and to prevent overflow that could cause flooding downstream.
“The release will be reviewed based on expected weather changes starting October 1, with all dams not exceeding 95 per cent capacity, and the Klang Gates Dam capped at 90 per cent before December 15, 2024,” he said in a statement today.
Izham said any water releases from the dams will be carried out gradually and closely monitored by Pengurusan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Air Selangor) and the Irrigation and Drainage Department (JPS).
This monitoring takes into account current river water levels and weather forecasts for the next seven days provided by the Meteorological Department (METMalaysia).
“Consequently, no releases will be made if river water levels show an increasing trend and heavy rainfall is expected in downstream areas.”
Meanwhile, Izham said based on records from the Integrated Water Resources Management System (WRIMS), Luas found a 4 per cent increase in the storage capacity of the Klang Gates Dam following heavy rainfall on August 12, with a total of 75mm recorded in the dam’s catchment area.
“However, there has been no overflow from the dam as there is still sufficient capacity to accommodate the current extraordinary rainfall,” he said.
For more information, the public is encouraged to check the daily dam status updates for Selangor on the IWRIMS Luas website. The public can also visit the JPS website for further information.
Forecast on rainfall, meanwhile, can be obtained on the METMalaysia’s portal.
