Water supply currently stable in most dams

 

The country's water supply remains under control, despite some dams in Penang and Kelantan experiencing low water levels during the current hot and dry weather. - NSTP/courtesy of MADA

KUALA LUMPUR: The country's water supply remains under control, despite some dams in Penang and Kelantan experiencing low water levels during the current hot and dry weather.

The National Water Service Commission (Span) said the country's dam and water supply status are stable except for Penang and several northern states in Peninsular Malaysia.

"Overall, water supply is still under control because dam and river levels are still high at 90 per cent in most states, and their water treatment plants operate normally.

"Even so, some areas at the end of the water supply system network are affected by the prolonged heat situation, namely in the state of Kelantan and the northern states."

The commission said the situation in Penang is seeing a decrease in the water levels.

"The current level of Air Itam Dam, at 41.5 per cent, can last for 40 days, while the Teluk Bahang Dam is for 145 days, with the current dam level at 48.4 per cent due to the hot spell.

However, the commission said the water supply to users is unaffected without any disruption.

The commission added that the level of the Mengkuang Dam in Penang, which supplies raw water to the Sungai Dua water treatment plant, is still stable.

"The Sungai Dua water treatment plant can still supply an average of 1,200 million litres a day (JLH) to meet the estimated needs of 40 per cent distribution to the island and the rest to the Seberang Perai area.

"However, the areas at the end of the water supply network are expected to experience low-pressure problems."

The water level at the Kelar water treatment plant in Kelantan has decreased due to depletion of raw water sources.

Yesterday, MetMalaysia placed Tanah Merah and Kuala Krai in Kelantan under the Level One Heat Warning after recording a maximum daily temperature of 35 degrees Celsius for three days.

It also said the Southwest monsoon, expected to begin on May 15 and continue until September, will bring lower rainfall.

Its director-general, Muhammad Helmi Abdullah, said the weather phenomenon would have winds blowing consistently from the southwest with lower air humidity and more stable atmospheric conditions. This would lead to less cloud formation.

Last week, the Fire and Rescue Department identified 406 hotspots across the country via satellite.

Its director of Fire and Rescue Operations, Datuk Ahmad Irzam Osman said the areas include Mukah and Miri in Sarawak; Dungun and Kemaman in Terengganu; Kuantan in Pahang; Pasir Mas and Bachok in Kelantan and the Kuala Langat Utara Forest Reserve. - NST