PETALING JAYA: The Penang state government is banking on the rainy season from April to June to replenish the Air Itam dam on the island, said chief minister Chow Kon Yeow.
“Penang typically experiences rainfall from April to June, which we rely on to replenish our dam until the next rainy season between September and November. This pattern has persisted for decades, barring any significant climate change,” he said, Bernama reported.
He said the state government has no intention of seeking assistance from the federal government to carry out cloud seeding operations, given its previous ineffectiveness in inducing rainfall in the reservoir area.
The state government is closely monitoring the water level and capacity of the dam, which at present can only sustain supplies for another 30 days without rain.
Chow said the Penang Water Supply Corporation had reduced water extraction from the Air Itam reservoir to ensure its capacity is conserved.
About 10,000 customers are serviced by the dam, but only half currently receive water supply from the dam, with the other half getting it from the Sungai Dua water treatment plant on the mainland.
Yesterday, the national disaster management agency reported a decrease in raw water reserves to critical levels in four dams in Johor, Penang, and Kedah, due to the prevailing hot and dry spell. The dams include the Sembrong Barat dam in Johor (31.65% capacity); Air Itam dam in Penang (35%); and the BS Padang Saga dam (39.67%) and the Malut dam (39.90%) in Kedah. - FMT
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