Climate Change and HydrometeorologicalInfluence on Water Resources: A Study on 2014Water Rationing in Selangor, Malaysia

Abstract

Climate change has been held responsible for a number of environmental changes currently taking place in the world. Water resource is one of the aspects of the environment that are showing signs of the detrimental effects of climate change. In Malaysia, water resource is always viewed as something which can be obtained easily. The aim of the study was to examine the water crisis in the state of Selangor in February and March 2014.The methodology employed was participant-observation technique and secondary data analysis. The finding was that In February and March 2014, many parts of Peninsular Malaysia experienced hot and dry weather. The state of Selangor bore the hardest brunt of this dry spell. The extended period of this dry spell caused lowering of water levels in most rivers resulting in the dipping of dam levels. Since the water supply system of the state depends wholly on surface water, the decrease in dam levels resulted in decreased volume of raw water that could be treated for consumption. The water supply system of the state of Selangor could not hold on to its commitments, as such a water rationing exercise had to be implemented. It is concluded that besides the influence of deteriorating hydrometeorology, human negligence or unconcerned attitude may have also contributed to the problem.