NENGGIRI DAM CAN CURB UP TO 40 PCT OF KELANTAN’S FLOODS, SAYS GUA MUSANG PKOB CHAIRMAN

GUA MUSANG, Dec 27 (Bernama) -- The construction of the Nenggiri Hydroelectric Dam in Kampung Star here is expected to curb up to 40 per cent of Kelantan's floods.

Gua Musang Disaster Operations Control Centre (PKOB) Chairman Nik Raisnan Daud said the RM5 billion project also serves as a water catchment area to contain rainfall that contributes to rising river levels.

"The project, which forms a primary reservoir spanning 53.84 square kilometres (km²) and a flow regulation pool covering 0.97 km², can also act as a flood mitigation system by restricting the excessive flow of water into rivers.

"This project is still under construction, and when completed, it is expected to reduce at least 40 per cent of the flood problems in downstream Kelantan, especially in Kota Bharu," he told reporters during a check of the Nenggiri Hydroelectric Dam project in Kampung Star today.

He added that the 5,400-hectare dam will also regulate the flow of Sungai Nenggiri, particularly during the monsoon season.

"The primary water catchment sources in Gua Musang are Sungai Lebir and Sungai Nenggiri. With this dam, it will help control the percentage of water flowing downstream.

"Furthermore, construction work is continuing despite the monsoon season, as we aim for its completion by November 2027," he said.

Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) began the Nenggiri Hydroelectric Project in March 2022. It is expected to generate 300 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy.

-- BERNAMA