Blue skies and everything nice: A farmer preparing his padi farms for the new season near the Penang-Kedah border padi region in Tikam Batu, Kedah. — ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star
ALOR SETAR: The north-east monsoon is usually linked to heavy rain, but in the northern states of Penang, Kedah and Perlis, the later months bring weeks of hot and dry weather which is welcomed by padi and Harumanis mango farmers.
While other states may still experience rainy weather, these three states are now facing dry and hot conditions that farmers welcome.
Harumanis entrepreneur Rosedi Hamid, 58, said the fruits thrive under the current conditions, requiring an optimal temperature of around 32°C to develop their distinctive aroma and sweetness.
“The hot, dry weather helps the Harumanis ripen evenly and enhances its fragrance,” he added.
The former teacher said some trees have started flowering, while many others are yet to bloom.
“The current heat is ideal for flowering, allowing the buds to develop properly.”
Rosedi said that if the hot and dry conditions persist, fruiting could begin as early as February next year, with the possibility of an early harvest by March.
Padi farmer Abdul Kadir Ismail, 68, from Kuala Nerang, said most farmers in his area have already begun their second planting season, with the harvest expected in middle or late January.
While the dry weather was good, it also posed other challenges.
“The dry season often brings increased threats to our crops, with rats, rice pests and various diseases becoming particularly problematic.”
He added that this would force farmers to use more pesticides, a practice that raised the risk of “padi kesing” (stunted padi growth).
“Our expectation is to harvest in January, but if the dry season drags on, it can be difficult for us.”
Abdul Rahman Musa, 71, foresees a manageable season.
But if the weather turns unfavourable, delaying the next planting season may be the best option, of which the farmer says he is considering.
Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) atmospheric physicist Associate Prof Dr Yusri Yusup said the north-east monsoon brings in strong winds with minimal rainfall, a pattern expected to continue until early January 2026.
He said there would be some rain, but not as heavy, with the second phase of the monsoon, and that the timing of the dry and wet phases could vary by about two weeks.
“Unlike last year, we are not expecting extreme heat, as persistent cloud cover is likely to remain over the region until mid-January.”
Yusri added that rainfall would help lower temperatures temporarily, but heat is expected to build up again during the final phase of the north-east monsoon and the spring equinox, when the region typically receives little rain and experiences strong solar radiation.
Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) chief executive officer Datuk K. Pathmanathan said Penang’s current dam reserves and regular operational management could sustain water supply until April 2026.
He said the projection was based on steady river flow from Sungai Muda, normal drawdown rates without sudden surges in consumption and the absence of prolonged zero-rainfall periods.
Currently, the Air Itam Dam has an effective storage of 1,955 million litres (ML), with about 89 days of supply remaining until early March 2026.
Although the dam alone cannot support demand until April 2026, it is typically operated alongside Sungai Muda through transfer and balancing.
Pathmanathan said the Teluk Bahang Dam has about 297 days of supply available, sufficient to last until October 2026. Its effective storage stands at 17,720 ML.
He added another main reservoir, the Mengkuang Dam, will have 132 days of supply that started from Dec 6, and the reserve is projected to last until mid-April 2026, meeting the April target but with limited buffer.
Pathmanathan added that PBAPP has activated a series of contingency measures to safeguard Penang’s water security amid prolonged dry conditions.
Under its raw water optimisation plan, PBAPP will maximise abstraction from Sungai Muda at the Lahar Tiang intake as long as river levels remain above alert thresholds.
He said a controlled drawdown strategy will also be enforced, involving staggered releases from the Air Itam, Teluk Bahang and Mengkuang dams to maximise overall yield.
“During extended dry spells, the higher-capacity Teluk Bahang and Mengkuang reservoirs will be prioritised.”
