SUNGAI SIPUT: The state government hopes that Tenaga Nasional Bhd will adopt a better approach and improve communications by informing district offices before releasing water from dams in the state.
Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said he did not want to see a repeat of the previous incident, where TNB failed to inform the district office, resulting in severe flooding.
"We experienced this in 2014, when TNB decided to release water from the Temenggor and Kenering dams without notifying the district office at the time.
"This left people downstream without enough time to prepare, leading to severe flooding. Since then, TNB has generally kept us updated about water levels.
"They provide me with daily updates, but this time, I was only informed after they released water from the Chenderoh dam downstream," he said after visiting flood victims at SK Lasah here today.
Earlier, it was reported that TNB confirmed that it was releasing water from the Chenderoh Dam in Kuala Kangsar.
In a Facebook post, TNB CareLine said the action was necessary due to rising water levels in Sungai Perak following heavy rain.
Saarani said he was only informed at 12.13pm today after the water release work was completed, while the Kuala Kangsar District Council was not informed about the matter at all.
"TNB should notify people downstream before releasing water. It's not just Kuala Kangsar but also areas like Perak Tengah and Hilir Perak, because then people can estimate how long it will take for the water to reach them.
"I hope this communication issue can be resolved. Seeing victims flee with nothing but the clothes on their backs shows they were caught off guard," he said.
Saarani suggested that if TNB could provide earlier notice, it would help people prepare.
"The water doesn't immediately reach downstream areas. It's released from Chenderoh before it arrives in places like Kuala Kangsar, Sungai Siput, Parit, and others.
"This would allow district offices and local committees to make preparations based on that timeframe.
"But the lesson learned here is that we know more rain is expected, and we understand that TNB can't store the water in the dam for too long due to the risk of a dam break. That's why they're releasing the water.
"We're not blaming TNB because it's their responsibility, and it's their dam. But we are asking for better coordination to ensure district offices downstream are informed," he added.
As of 4pm today, the flood situation in Perak has slightly eased with 1,013 victims from 320 families in four districts relocated to seven temporary relief centres.