Muda, Bukit Merah dams at critical levels, says Nadma

KUALA LUMPUR: Raw water reserves at two reservoirs, one in Kedah and another in Perak, are at critical levels.

According to a brief weather status report on Tuesday (July 9) by the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma), citing the National Water Services Commission (SPAN), the affected reservoirs are the Muda Dam in Kedah, recording raw water reserves of 18.37%, and the Bukit Merah Dam in Perak at 19.97%.

The report also notes that five other reservoirs showed current raw water reserves at warning levels.

They include the Malut and Pedu Dams in Kedah, with levels at 36.10% and 50.50% respectively; the Teluk Bahang and Air Hitam Dams in Penang, at 37% and 56.70% respectively; and the Timah Tasoh Dam in Perlis, recording 42.60%.

The categories are: Below 29.99% (critical), between 30% and 59.99% (warning) and 60% and above (normal).

On heat-related illnesses, Nadma, quoting the Health Ministry, reported that the cumulative number of cases has risen to 108, compared to 103 cases reported on June 24. These include 25 cases of heatstroke, 76 cases of heat exhaustion and seven cases of heat cramps.

Nadma reported that Kedah has the highest number of cases at 19, followed by Terengganu (17), Johor and Pahang with 14 each, Perak (11), Negeri Sembilan (nine), Selangor (eight), Sabah (six), Kelantan (four), Kuala Lumpur (three), Perlis (two) and Penang (one).

The breakdown of cases by age involved 83 adults, 20 teenagers, three children, and two elderly individuals, with five deaths attributed to heatstroke so far.

Nadma also said that the Fire and Rescue Department will focus on over 652 hotspots for fires across the country following the final phase of the Northeast Monsoon.

According to the report, Selangor, Johor and Sarawak are among the states with the highest recorded incidents involving repeated occurrences of fires in tall grass (lalang) areas, farms, forests and waste disposal sites. – Bernama