{
  "id": 3923612,
  "title": "El-Nino: 1 empangan pada tahap kritikal, 2 waspada",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/el-nino-1-empangan-pada-tahap-kritikal-2-waspada",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-28T08:41:43.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/bahasa/tempatan/2026/08/28/el-nino-1-empangan-pada-tahap-kritikal-2-waspada"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The National Water Services Commission (SPAN) is continuing to monitor 49 critical water source dams that supply raw water to water treatment plants. Among these dams, one is at a critical level, located at the Sungai Pagar dam in Labuan, while two are in a warning stage, namely the Jus dam in Melaka and the Labong dam in Johor. Additionally, nine dams are under an alert level, including Muda and Ahning dams in Kedah, as well as Upper Layang, Lower Layang, Lebam, Gunung Pulai 1, Gunung Pulai 2, Pontian Kechil, and Timah Tasoh dam in Perlis.\n\nAccording to SPAN, the Timah Tasoh dam, which has previously been at a critical level, is now showing improvement after receiving a small amount of rain and pumping water from the reservoir to the dam. The agency stated that all monitored water treatment plants (LRA) are operating normally, but they do not rule out the possibility of water supply disruptions if the water level continues to drop. \"SPAN does not rule out any risk of water supply disruptions if the water level continues to show a downward trend,\" it said.\n\nSPAN along with the Ministry of Power, Transformation and Water (Petra) held an Emergency Working Committee and Preparedness Meeting with all water supply operators on Wednesday. The meeting was held to investigate the condition of water source dams and strengthen preparedness and mitigation steps, especially for monitoring dams showing a decreasing trend or those at warning, alert, critical levels. Steps taken include optimizing the use of water source dams, coordinating the operation of dams and LRA, activating alternative sources, and monitoring water demand in risk areas. Scheduled water supply can also be implemented if the condition of water source dams continues to decline. In a more critical situation, SPAN said, restrictions or reduction of water supply to users may be considered as a measure to manage demand, subject to the current need and approval of the minister.\n\nSPAN said that the monitoring and risk assessment will continue to be intensified to prepare for the possible El Nino phenomenon, taking into account weather conditions, dam levels, available water source, and LRA operational capacity. \"All mitigation measures will be implemented broadly based on the situation and risk level in each region,\" SPAN said. Although all monitored LRA are operating normally, SPAN does not rule out the possibility of water supply disruptions if the water level continues to drop. \"SPAN does not rule out any risk of water supply disruptions if the water level continues to show a downward trend,\" it said.",
  "summary": "Pemantauan SPAN dapati sembilan empangan yang menjadi sumber air mentah berada pada tahap amaran.",
  "key_points": [
    "One of 49 critical water source dams in Sungai Pagar dam in Labuan is at critical level",
    "Two dams, Jus in Melaka and Labong in Johor, are in warning stage",
    "SPAN intensifies monitoring and risk assessment for possible El Nino impact"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "El-Nino: 1 empangan pada tahap kritikal, 2 waspada",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/el-nino-1-empangan-pada-tahap-kritikal-2-waspada-3926578",
        "published": "2026-08-28T08:41:43.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}