A change in colour in Sungai Klang in Kuala Lumpur has created a buzz among Bangsar residents.
From its normally murky colour, the river water appeared almost orange on Friday, prompting many to share images they took on social media.
A hotel employee, who wanted to be known only as Ameera, said she was cleaning windows when she realised the river had turned orange.
“I was surprised to see the state of Sungai Klang.
“It is as if someone poured carrot juice into it. That was the first time I saw the river change colour.
“I took a picture and sent it to my family.
“It reminded me of rivers back home in Sabah, where the waters tend to change colours, but I never knew why.
“I hope with the photo, the authorities can at least find out what happened.”
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Association of Water and Energy Research Malaysia president S. Piarapakaran said the situation might be caused by the flow of pollutants, which carried a chemical property that triggered the change of colour in the river.
“The chemical might have a reddish tint that caused murky Sungai Klang to turn orange.
“However, if the authorities get a sample of the orange water, they have a better chance of determining the pollutant.”
Piarapakaran said: “To understand the situation better, rivers change colours because of the discharge of chemicals by factories.
“All rivers in the country are part of a drainage system. Chemicals that are illegally discharged will flow into rivers.”
Piarapakaran said: “Rainfall covers up the illegal discharge of chemicals. The authorities must trace the pollutant quickly.
“In this case, it is rare to have it spotted quickly by the public as there was no rain that day,” said Piarapaka-ran.
Piarapakaran urged the public to report rivers or water treatment plants facing the same fate as Sungai Klang.