GEORGE TOWN: There are fears of heavy rains soon but for now, Penangites are more concerned about the hot weather that has left the dams in the state drying up.
State Local Government, Traffic Management and Flood Mitigation Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow said it was crucial that the dams were filled in the next three months to ensure enough supply to handle any dry spell next year.
“Rain is necessary at this point in time as the dam levels are not increasing,” he said yesterday.
Chow said the Penang Water Supply Corporation Sdn Bhd (PBAPP) was expecting rain in July, August and September.
“We are still puzzled over the delay in the rain, as it is already July,” he said.
Penang Fire and Rescue Department director Azmi Tamat said his men were ready to respond in the event La Nina hits the state.
“Sometimes, we are prepared to face a disaster, but it does not occur.
“We just make sure that our men and equipment are ready at all times,” he said.
According to a report, dated July 1 on the Malaysian Meteorological Department website, rainfall levels are forecast at between 90mm at its lowest and 430mm at its highest over the next six months.
Penang is expected to experience normal rainfall levels for the second half of the year. The state will only get heavier rains and thunderstorms in October due to the monsoon.
The website also indicated that Penang will experience rain and isolated thunderstorms for the next seven days starting yesterday.
A check by The Star showed that the water level at the Teluk Bahang Dam was 45.3%, while the Air Itam Dam was at 52.3% while for the Mengkuang Dam, it read 95.2%.
(PBAPP) chief executive officer Datuk Jaseni Maidinsa could not be contacted for comment.
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