IPOH, Oct 24 — Continuous heavy rain, combined with a high-tide phenomenon, was identified as the primary cause of flash floods that affected several Perak areas yesterday, including Manjung; Larut, Matang dan Selama (LMS), Kerian, and Kinta.
State Infrastructure, Energy, Water, and Public Transport Committee chairman Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin said the heavy rain from morning until evening yesterday also overwhelmed the existing drainage and irrigation systems, resulting in an overflow in low-lying areas.
The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) reported that the average monthly rainfall for the four affected districts is estimated to be between 140 and 190 millimetres (mm).
"The amount of rainfall recorded at several stations in the LMS and Kerian districts matched or exceeded the October monthly average, particularly at Pondok Tanjung Station (244.5 mm), Sungai Kurau Batu 14 (174 mm), and Bukit Larut (136 mm).
"The protracted heavy rainfall coinciding with the high tide also worsened the situation in the Kerian, LMS, and Manjung districts, causing flooding in several low-lying settlements," he said in a statement today.
Continuous heavy rain since yesterday morning caused flooding in several Perak districts, forcing over 2,000 victims to evacuate their homes and seek shelter at 24 Temporary Evacuation Centres (PPS).
Meanwhile, Nizar said the high volume water inflow into the Bukit Merah Dam catchment area forced the Perak Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) to release water into Sungai Kurau in accordance with the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) to ensure the dam's structural safety.
"Prolonged rainfall in the dam's upstream area recorded the highest readings at Pondok Tanjung Station (259.0 mm) and Sungai Kurau Batu 14 Station (184.0 mm).
"The water flow rate surged sharply from 61.8 cubic metres per second (m³/s) to 200 m³/s between 6pm and 9pm on October 23, and remained above 200 m³/s until 10am today, still recording high levels as of 1pm," he said.
Nizar added that the dam water level increased from 8.7 metres, which is normal, at 6pm yesterday to 9.1 metres, indicating a danger level, at 6am today.
The water release was carried out in line with the Bukit Merah Dam Emergency Action Plan (EAP) to ensure the dam structure remains safe and functions optimally.
He noted that this measure is necessary to control the dam's rapidly rising water level following continuous rainfall in the catchment area over the past few days.
