Kedah will release water into Sungai Muda periodically, says Sanusi

 

Sungai Muda is Penang’s primary raw water source and makes up more than 80% of the Penang Water Supply Corporation’s raw water supply. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: 

Kedah menteri besar Sanusi Nor says water will be released from the Beris dam in Sik periodically to stabilise the levels in Sungai Muda, which serves Kedah and Penang.

Four days ago, there was a release of 10 million cubic metres of water from the dam into Sungai Muda,

 Sanusi said, adding that further periodic releases would follow until the water levels stabilise.

This move was in response to a request from Penang due to declining water levels in Sungai Muda near the Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) intake in Lahar Tiang, Bukit Mertajam.

We sympathise with our neighbouring state, as I have seen images of drought at the Lahar Tiang intake due to the receding water levels of Sungai Muda,

 he told a press conference after chairing the Kedah exco meeting today, reported Bernama.

Sanusi said his office had been informed by the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) that cloud seeding would be conducted soon to stabilise the water levels in Sungai Muda.

In response to requests from the Kedah water resources board, Mada (Muda Agricultural Development Authority), and Sada (Syarikat Air Darul Aman), cloud seeding will be carried out by Nadma thrice to stabilise the water levels in Sungai Muda,

 he said.

PBAPP previously called for Kedah to release water from the Beris dam after the water level of Sungai Muda on Penang’s side had dropped below 2m for four days in a row, leading to concerns about the state’s water supply.

Sungai Muda is Penang’s primary raw water source and makes up more than 80% of PBAPP’s raw water supply, while the Muda and Beris dams, both located in Kedah, release water into the river. - FMT