Recent changes in the occurrence of rainfall patterns, and
its intensity and extremes, substantial changes in the timing and magnitude
hydrological events such as flood and drought in Malaysia are indicative of
climate changes in this region. It is evidence that changes in rainfall are
inextricably linked with changes in runoff, streamflows and water availability
that may also be impacted as a consequence of climate change.
It is He who shows you lightening, [causing] fear and
aspiration, and generates the heavy clouds.
And the thunder exalts [ Allah ] with praise of Him - and
the angels [as well] from fear of Him - and He sends thunderbolts and strikes
therewith whom He wills while they dispute about Allah ; and He is severe in
assault. (Surat Ar-Ra`d [13: 12-13] - The Noble Qur'an)
Overview of Malaysia Water..
Malaysia receives an average annual precipitation
of about 3000 mm. The total average annual flow per year for Malaysia rivers is estimated as 580 km³/year.The total run
off for Malaysia is an average from the 150 river basins systems around the country
and contribute 98%
of the total national
water use. The total annual ground
water resources are assessed as 64 km³. The World Resources Institute had estimated that in 2007 the annual renewable
water supply
of Malaysia to be approximately 22,100 m3/person/year, a fall
of about 2% from 22,484 m3/person/year in 2006.
In recent times, several studies show that climate change is likely to impact significantly upon
water resources availability. Since Malaysia lies entirely in the equatorial zone, the climate is governed by the yearly alternation
of the northeast
and southwest monsoons. Therefore, change in climate will affect frequency
of flood
and drought episodes in this region.
Monsoon in Malaysia...
Malaysia can be divided into 3 different regions , namely the eastern side and western side of the peninsula and Borneo.
To the western side of the peninsula of Malaysia there’s hardly a rainy
season or monsoon. This is because of the moderate climate at the
Andaman Sea. Here Malaysia is protected by the Indonesian island of
Sumatra for a great part. Along the western side of the peninsula the
weather can of course be a little bad. It can sometimes be a day with
bad weather indeed, but most of the time there’s just a short and heavy
shower at the end of the day (this is normal in the tropics). You can be
quite sure that between 4 and 5 in the afternoon it rains persistently
for about 10 to 30 minutes. As a matter of fact this is often very
pleasant, a bit of cooling at the end of the day. Islands to the western
side are: Penang, Langkawi and Pangkor amongst others. So here there’s
hardly a serious rainy season, although, it’s not an inconvenience when
you’re on holiday there. Kuala Lumpur is also on the western side and
here there’s often a difference in the dry and wet periods. In such a
great metropolis in a tropical climate it’s nice when there’s rain
because this makes the air cleaner.
The rainy season to the eastern side of the peninsula is in the
period between October and March and can be quite heavy; it sometimes
rains days on end then. Resorts on islands like Perhentian, Redang and
Tioman are often closed in this period, because the sea can be very wild
and a passage with the ferry can be difficult. All the beauty of the
bounty islands has disappeared for a while. Cities like Kota Bharu,
Kuala Terengganu and Kuantan are also less attractive to visit during
this period. Around Kuantan there can sometimes be floods in this
period. Apart from that, every year is different, sometimes it rains for
weeks in a row, other times the weather can be beautiful for a couple
of days.
The rainy season on Borneo is in the period of October to February;
although in this last month it doesn’t rain as much as in the remaining
months. A shower is short and fierce most of the times and before you
know it the sun shines again. The islands to the northwestern side of
Borneo have to deal now and then with the ‘tail’ of typhoons from the
Philippines. This unloads itself in heavy wind and rainfall.
