KOTA BHARU, Nov 1 — Water shortages resulting from the Super El Niño phenomenon, which could persist until early next year, may affect firefighting operations in Kelantan, particularly if the state experiences a dry spell after the Northeast Monsoon (NEM).
Kelantan Fire and Rescue Department director Farhan Sufyan Borhan said dry conditions and low rainfall could not only increase the risk of open burning but also potentially reduce the availability of water for firefighting operations.
He said the department was concerned about the possibility of the phenomenon continuing until March next year, as water supplies from fire hydrants, domestic sources and open water sources could be affected.
“If Super El Niño continues until March next year, the likelihood of open burning incidents will be high, and at the same time, we are concerned that water supplies may become scarce.
“This is because firefighting operations still rely on water from fire hydrants, domestic supplies and open water sources,” he told Bernama recently.
He said that based on forecasts by the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia), the Super El Niño phenomenon was expected to persist until early next year, although the exact time it would end remained uncertain.
He said the concern also took into account Kelantan’s weather patterns, as the state typically experiences a dry spell from late February to April, following the NEM period.
He said Kelantan recorded 1,920 calls related to open burning in March and April this year, compared with more than 300 calls during the same period in 2023.
Calls related to open burning had declined recently as the state was experiencing the rainy season, with such incidents reported about once or twice a week, he added.
On the challenges of securing water supplies, Farhan Sufyan said several areas, including Tumpat and Bachok, faced difficulties obtaining water, particularly when fire hydrant pressure was low or the facilities were not fully functional.
He said water pressure could also vary depending on the time of day and consumption levels, including in residential areas at night and industrial areas during the day, when water demand was higher.
“In some areas, certain fire hydrants are not functioning, while others are operational but not fully functional. Water pressure also depends on the conditions and usage in the respective areas.
“Therefore, we cannot rely entirely on fire hydrants because some areas face water supply problems, and we have to obtain water from open sources,” he said.
Farhan Sufyan said the Kelantan Fire and Rescue Department had 10 water tanker trucks that would be deployed alongside fire engines, particularly for structural fire operations, as part of preparations for possible water supply constraints.
He said the department had previously faced difficulties securing water during a firefighting operation in Rantau Panjang, Pasir Mas, in July, when firefighters had to draw water from the Golok River, about 300 metres away, despite the river being near the fire site.
He said this happened because firefighters could not access the river due to fencing around the area, while the nearest functioning fire hydrant was some distance from the scene.
He added that water tanker trucks also had limitations, as they needed to make repeated trips to replenish their supplies when their tanks ran dry, requiring careful planning throughout firefighting operations.
“Firefighters will regulate water pressure during firefighting operations according to the conditions and extent of the affected area to ensure water is used prudently, with priority given to preventing the fire from spreading to other areas,” he said.
