ALOR SETAR: Scheduled water distribution, the optimisation of water reuse pumps and portable pumps will be used during times of drought expected to come during the south-west monsoon period, says a state exco member.

       State agriculture and food industry committee chairman Azman Nasrudin said the methods will be implemented by the Muda Agricultural Development Authority (Mada), which is responsible for supervising and managing the three main dams in Kedah.

       “Based on the current water capacity in all three dams in Kedah, the requirement for water irrigation use is still enough for the padi planting season this year,” he said in a statement yesterday.

       He also said as of yesterday, the effective capacity recorded at the dams in Pedu, Muda and Ahning was 93.83%, 100.20% and 90.12% respectively.

       Malaysia is experiencing the south-west monsoon, which results in a hot and dry climate, until mid-September, according to the Malaysian Meteorological Department.

       During this period, the winds will blow constantly from the south-west with lower air humidity and stable atmospheric conditions that can result in a lack of rainfall.

       The seasonal phenomenon will also cause haze and a decline of water level at dams.

       Last week, state water supply, water resources and public works committee chairman Datuk Suraya Yaacob said in an interview that Syarikat Air Darul Aman (Sada) will implement several measures to deal with the water shortage.

       These included deploying water tankers and 280 static water tanks to affected areas.

       In Penang, Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) chief executive officer Datuk Jaseni Maidinsa said a new SPS Water Supply Contingency Plan (SPS-WSCP 2022) will be implemented tomorrow to address water supply issues in south Seberang Prai residential areas.

       Water supply will be given priority to registered domestic water consumers residing in the district for 12 hours, from 6.01pm to 6am daily.

       “During these overnight hours, water supply to the Batu Kawan and Bukit Minyak industrial areas will be regulated, and more water will be pumped to residential areas in south Seberang Prai,” he said, adding that the most likely causes of the water supply issue in the district were high demand and increase in consumers during Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

       As of yesterday, the effective capacity was 31.5% at Ayer Itam dam, 59.7% at Teluk Bahang dam and 91.5% at Mengkuang dam.