GEORGE TOWN: Authorities are mulling a cloud seeding exercise to increase the water level of the Air Itam dam which has recorded only 122mm of rainfall since January – the lowest so far in eight years.
The Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) said it is monitoring the situation, both at the Air Itam and Teluk Bahang dams, and is tightening daily draw-downs as far as possible without compromising water supply services.
“With the state government’s support, we will seek assistance from the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) and the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) to carry out cloud seeding around the water catchment areas (WCA),” said PBAPP chief executive officer Datuk K. Pathmanathan.
He said the effective capacities of the Teluk Bahang and Air Itam dams were at 47.3% and 55.7%, respectively, as of March 31.
“So far this year, there is a bit more rainfall in the WCA near Teluk Bahang dam but the trend is not back to pre-Covid-19 levels yet.
“The 86,400ml capacity at the expanded Mengkuang dam in central Seberang Perai remains strong at 92.4% on March 31,” he said.
Pathmanathan also said the Mengkuang dam is currently serving as a ‘stand-by’ or ‘back-up’ dam for treated water production at the Sungai Dua water treatment plant.
“We hope Nadma and the RMAF will respond before the Teluk Bahang dam’s effective capacity drops below the 40% mark due to the inter-monsoon period where there are clouds in the sky to seed.
“PBAPP would like to seek the cooperation from all consumers to use water wisely,” he said.
