Malaysia: Climate change will affect water supply

FAZLEENA AZIZ New Straits Times 23 Nov 14;

KUALA LUMPUR: CLIMATE change will affect all water-related sectors, including water supply and agriculture, resulting in drought, flood and degradation of coastal ecosystem.

National Hydraulic Research Institute of Malaysia’s (Nahrim) Extension Study of the Impact of Climate Change on the Hydrologic Regime and Water Resources of Peninsular Malaysia shows there will be an increase in rainfall magnitude and intensity in the future.

“Global warming will affect peak flow, causing more extreme floods at river basins in the country, such as those in Johor, Kedah and Perak, as well as in Sabah and Sarawak.

“On the other hand, the decrease in monthly river flow and shifting of dry spells at river basins, such as Padas and Kinabatangan in Sabah, Limbang and Sadong in Sarawak, and Muda in Kedah, will affect future water availability.

“The increased fluctuation in the precipitation pattern and the impacts on the hydrological regimes, as well as other non-climatic factors will threaten our flood protection and security level, and increase drought risk.”

Nahrim said based on its streamflow study of 11 watersheds in Peninsular Malaysia, there would be water supply issues in the future, especially in areas with higher risk or vulnerability, such as in the Muda watershed in Kedah and small basins like Linggi.

“Drought or reservoir storage analysis based on 15 climate change scenarios, or projections, in Bekok Dam shows that there will be several critical drawdown periods from 2010 to 2100.

“The impact of climate change on water resources, particularly the rising intensity, magnitude and frequency of rainfall, and the shifting of wet and dry seasons, will lead to an increase of extreme flood and drought events.

“These changes will have a major impact on the development and sustainability of a country’s socio-economy.”

Nahrim said the main task was to mainstream climate change adaptation in future plans and developments, such as raising flood levels, review reservoir capacity, resize drainage and irrigation systems, and redesign ports and jetties.

Other measures, it said, included sustainable land use planning, flood warning systems, emergency response plans and awareness campaigns to minimise damage to property and prevent the loss of lives.