KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 10 — A total of 606 portable emergency pumps have been deployed nationwide and will be mobilised to address El Nino effects, said the Irrigation and Drainage Department (JPS).
It added that the pumps would be put to work when river or dam levels fall to critical thresholds, amid hot and dry weather during El Nino, by channelling water to agricultural areas, irrigation schemes and areas with disrupted supply, as well as to support forest and peatland firefighting operations with the Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) and concerned agencies.
“The department also coordinates the integrated use of assets involving federal and state government assets and the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA), while expanding technical assistance to Integrated Agricultural Development Areas (IADA) and other agencies according to current needs.
“Preventive maintenance programmes are carried out regularly to ensure all portable pumps and hydromechanical infrastructure remain in optimal condition before the drought begins. All requests for aid are coordinated by the department, and the assets can be mobilised to affected locations within 24 hours,” it said.
In line with the national water sector’s digitalisation agenda, the department uses the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system and Pump Tracking System to monitor pump and water gate operations in real time, enabling disruptions or potential damage to be detected early and reducing the risk of water supply disruptions during the El Nino phenomenon.
Previously, the Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia), in its Long-Range Weather Outlook updated on July 29, forecast that the El Nino phenomenon would continue until early next year.
The situation is expected to result in lower rainfall in several areas along the west, east and southern coasts of Peninsular Malaysia, central and western Sarawak, and eastern Sabah, increasing the risk of drought and placing greater pressure on the country’s water resources.
JPS also said it is monitoring 56 dams across the country to ensure the effective integrated management of water resources, agricultural irrigation and flood mitigation, in line with the National Water Policy (DAN) and NADMA Directive No.1 of 2024.
The monitoring covers dams under the supervision of JPS, the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry (MAFS), the Sabah Water Department (JANS), and the State Water Regulatory Division (BKSA) through the InfoKemarau Portal and Reservoir Information Management System (RIMS).
“Water releases from dams are carried out in accordance with standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure sufficient water supplies for domestic and agricultural use, as well as the safety of the dams. JPS also works with state water supply operators to optimise the operation of water intake towers to ensure continuity of water supply to consumers,” it said.
JPS developed the National Water Balance Management System (NAWABS) as a national water balance management platform to forecast drought risks and support early mitigation measures by providing projections of water resource availability up to two months ahead and early warnings up to 14 days in advance.
NAWABS currently operates in seven major river basins — Sungai Kedah, Sungai Muda, Sungai Bernam, Sungai Klang, Sungai Melaka, Sungai Kelantan and Sungai Similajau basins — and is expected to be expanded to 12 more river basins by 2028.
“NAWABS information is strengthened through the water resources assessment report prepared weekly by JPS.
“The report contains information on river flow rates, dam storage levels and developments in drought conditions, which is shared with NADMA, the Energy Transition and Water Transformation Ministry (PETRA), the National Water Services Commission (SPAN), JPS top management, and state offices,” it said.
JPS said the data is an important reference to determine mitigation measures, such as cloud-seeding operations, issuing early drought warnings, and planning water supply management.
