ALOR SETAR – A water treatment plant here has to be shut down as the facility was flooded due to a critical rise in the water level of a nearby river following continuous downpours in Kedah for the past few days, affecting around 35,000 water accounts.
The state’s water company, Syarikat Air Darul Aman (Sada) said the Bukit Pinang Phase 1 treatment plant was shut since 1am today. The cessation of the plant’s operations caused an unscheduled water supply interruption in Kota Setar district and a part of Kubang Pasu district.
Among the areas affected are Alor Star city, Mergong, Mentaloon, Hutan Kampung, Tg Musang, Bukit Pinang, Kepala Batas, Tok Jalan.
“The estimated time for the treatment plant’s operations to resume its operations still could not be identified at the moment since the water level is still at a critical level, flooding the plant’s mechanical and electrical assets.
“Apart from the flooding, several other treatment plants are at risk of being affected by damaged electrical facilities (belonging) to Tenaga Nasional Bhd, which were already damaged by thunderstorms and tree uprooting,” said Sada in a statement.
Sada also said that it is currently mobilising water tankers and installing static water tanks at temporary flood shelters.
The company also said it would regularly provide updates on the water supply disruptions on its social media accounts and its website at www.sada.com.my.
Members of the public can also contact the company at 1300-88-0017.
The massive supply disruption is expected to worsen conditions for residents in Kota Setar and Kubang Pasu since these districts were already hit by flash floods together with Pokok Sena, Pendang, Kulim and Kuala Muda
The flood incidents in the state have sparked fear among Kedahans who are concerned about history repeating itself, as massive floods which hit the state and Perlis in 2010 forced 50,000 people to evacuate. – September 19, 2024