IPOH: The water level at the Bukit Merah Dam in Bagan Serai has risen but it is still not enough to reopen its irrigation supply to the agricultural sector, says Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin.
The Perak water committee chairman said that as of July 16, the water level was recorded at about 6.3m, compared to 6.09m on June 28.
"Irrigation supply has been halted since June 28 and has remained as such," he said in a statement on Thursday (July 18).
It was reported that the Bukit Merah Dam has shown a decrease in raw water reserves, down to a dangerous level of 19.54%, as of July 15.
According to the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma), in a statement Wednesday (July 17), several other dams also showed a remaining stock of water reserves currently at the warning level of less than 59.99%.
These included the Muda Dam (15.2%), Malut Dam (37.19%) and Pedu Dam (48.10%) in Kedah; Teluk Bahang Dam (35%) and Air Hitam Dam (51.30%) in Penang; and Timah Tasoh Dam in Perlis at 42.60%.
A reading of 29.99% and below in the remaining stock of raw water reserves indicates a dangerous level; 30% to 59.99% (warning level) and 60% and above (normal).
Mohammad Nizar said a meeting was held on July 4 with Nadma on cloud seeding efforts.
He said Nadma would be coordinating the operation while being assisted by the relevant agencies, including the Meteorological Department, Malaysian Air Force, Muda Agricultural Development Authority, Agriculture and Food Security Ministry, Integrated Agricultural Development Area and the Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID).
"For the medium-term plan, the state DID is implementing the Bukit Merah Dam Structure and Facility Strengthening Project.
"For the long term, the state DID is conducting an assessment study to evaluate and review the adequacy of water resources throughout the state," he said.
"It will also study the projected water resource that would be needed until the year 2050.
"Included in the study would be the recommendations to strengthen the water securities of the state," he added.
