SUNGAI PETANI: The Kedah government is reviewing proposals to improve the effectiveness of the Titi Hayun sabo dam after rapid runoffs from Gunung Jerai caused flash floods in four foothill villages.
Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor said the state government is working with the Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) and the Minerals and Geoscience Department (JMG) on the issue.
"Since the completion of the sabo dam, this is the first time it has faced such strong water flow, putting its capabilities to the test.
"Perhaps the DID can re-evaluate the situation and consider improvements to the design or model. If one sabo dam is insufficient, we might need two.
"The current dam may not be able to handle changes in the river's flow since the water surge incident. We may need additional upstream projects," he said during a press conference today (Sept 8).
Yesterday (Sept 7), heavy rain lasting for an hour triggered rapid runoffs from the Seri Perigi and Titi Hayun waterfalls, leading to flash floods in four villages at the foot of Gunung Jerai.
The Titi Hayun sabo dam was constructed after nearly 1,000 homes and business premises in Yan and Merbok were damaged by floods caused by a water column in 2021.
Sanusi acknowledged climate change had made weather patterns unpredictable, leading to floods that were difficult to anticipate.
He said efforts to address the issue had been in place since 2021.
"Such phenomenon has began intensifying since 2021. We've already taken steps such as building sabo dams. There may be further proposals to tackle such challenges moving forward," he added.
Sanusi urged flood victims to remain calm, assuring them that the state government was actively working on addressing the flood issues.
Yesterday (Sept 7), flash floods in the state were also reported in Baling and Kulim following over an hour of continuous rain.