SHAH ALAM - The government needs to form federal and state committees to prepare for the El Nino phenomenon which is expected to occur in the middle of 2023 to early 2024.
Malaysian Water and Energy Research Association (Awer) president S.Piarapakaran said the move was necessary to manage the crisis that was likely to occur as a result of the phenomenon.
He said all events of the El Nino phenomenon that have been recorded previously must be studied and compared with the loss of natural forest cover.
"Production forests are not the same as natural virgin forests.
"Therefore, an example of updated raw water availability must be done to ensure we are prepared to face the worst-case scenario and minimise social, economic and environmental impacts," he said.
He said the federal and state level committees that were established needed to monitor and find alternatives to overcome the problems caused by El Nino, especially involving the dry weather that induced drought.
"Old settlements, suburban and rural areas may face low water pressure and no water supply during the summer due to peak water use," he said.
Piarapakaran said Awer also sent out letters to the Prime Minister, relevant Cabinet ministers and the state government to take immediate action to deal with El Nino.
"Although the formation of El Nino is still at the prediction stage, it is better for all of us to prepare and minimise any negative social, economic and environmental effects," he said.
Elaborating on the water supply crisis that could potentially happen, Piarapakaran suggested that areas with lack of water supply infrastructure and low water pressure should be identified and provided with static water tanks that can be filled using water tankers.
He said rural water supply projects that were not under the jurisdiction of certain ministries needed to be subject to an approach to standardise crisis management.