Air Itam dam at stage 3 of critical level, enough water for 30 days

GEORGE TOWN: Water capacity at the Air Itam dam has reached stage three of the critical level with a reading of 30.8% on Sunday (April 14).

This means the water there can last 30 more days if there is still no rain.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said so far this month, the dam has only received 22.5mm of rainfall compared to an expected 300mm a month.

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"Heavy rain in several areas in the state did not help to raise the water level at the dam, which is now at stage three of the critical level because there has been no rain in the area.

"The water capacity at the dam is also dropping compared to last week, which is 32% because water is being extracted this week to cater to the high consumer demand during this festive season,” he told reporters after attending the Bukit Bendera parliamentary constituency Hari Raya Aidifiltri Carnival here.

He said the state government has instructed the Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) to continue implementing the Air Itam Dam Action Plan 2024 (AIDAP 2024), which involves four measures, including minimising the release of raw water from the dam to the Air Itam water treatment plant (LRA) from 75 million litres per day (MLD) to 11MLD to maintain effective capacity at the dam.

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Asked about cloud seeding, he said the state government does not plan to implement the initiative since it has been raining for the past few weeks in Penang.

Previously, PBAPP said that the effective capacity of the Air Itam Dam was at 32.4% in February. – Bernama