PADANG TERAP: The recent floods in Padang Terap and other parts of Kedah were not caused by water released from dams in the state.
State Public Works, Natural Resources, Water Supply, and Environmental Committee chairman Mohamad Yusoff Zakaria said that the floods were the result of continuous heavy rainfall over the past two days, not dam water releases.
"There have been claims that the floods were caused by water released from the two dams in Padang Terap, but technically, this was due to persistent rainfall over several days.
"Excess water from the dams naturally overflows into the rivers during continuous heavy rain, which is what happened here," he said.
He clarified that allegations regarding Mada (Muda Agricultural Development Authority) releasing water from its dams — Pedu, Ahning, and Muda Dams — were inaccurate.
Yusoff, who is Kuala Nerang assemblyman, was responding to claims that the floods in Padang Terap and Sik were triggered by water released from these dams.
The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) had issued a Continuous Rain Warning (Danger Level) for Perlis, Kedah, Penang, and Perak from Nov 27 to Dec 1, 2024.
In a related matter, Yusoff said that the floods were not linked to water flowing from Thailand.
"Unlike Kelantan, which borders Thailand via the Sungai Golok river, Kedah is not connected to any river that flows from our neighbouring country. Our border is separated by mountain ranges, not rivers, so the floods in southern Thailand have no impact here," he said.
Earlier today, 16 districts in southern Thailand were declared disaster zones due to severe flooding. Local media there reported that more than 95,000 people were affected by the floodwaters, which followed several days of heavy rainfall.
The Malaysian Consul General in Songkhla, Ahmad Fahmi Ahmad Sarkawi urged Malaysians to exercise caution if they must travel to Southern Thailand during this period.