Padi farmers and glove makers are hit by a water shortage

LENGGONG: The drop in water level at the Bukit Merah Dam in Bagan Serai near here, due to the hot and dry weather, is not only affecting Kerian district’s padi farmers but its industrial sector too, says Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad.

The Perak Mentri Besar shared that aside from these farmers, they had also received complaints from glove factories which use a lot of water for their operations and production.

“I will bring up this matter at the state executive council meeting to find a more effective solution to the problem.

“We know that the best method (of rectifying this problem) is by transferring water from Sungai Perak to the Kerian district, but it has to involve an appropriate cost and a suitable operator,” he said.

Saarani added that a feasibility study on building a water tunnel from Sungai Perak to Bukit Merah was ongoing.

He said the study was necessary to see if the water transferred would be sufficient while the state government continuously tries to find a solution to the problem at the Bukit Merah Dam.

When asked on the water levels at the main dams along Sungai Perak, Saarani said it was alright so far, such as at the Temengor, Bersia, Kenering and Chenderoh Dams.

“Although there is no rain, the water sourced from Hulu Perak flows into the dams,” Saarani said after officiating at the Kayuhan Muhibah programme of the Perak branch of Kemas Staff Association of Peninsular Malaysia at the Taman Kota Tampan here yesterday.

Last Tuesday, the Bukit Merah Dam was reportedly at a critical level but could still supply water for domestic and agricultural use. — Bernama