GEORGE TOWN: Cloud seeding operations have brought relief to Bukit Merah Dam, with water levels inching up for the first time in days after a worrying slide towards the supply cut-off level.
Data from the Kerian Drainage and Irrigation Department at 8am on Monday (Feb 16) shows the dam level rising to 6.218m, reversing last week’s downward trend that had left the reservoir dangerously close to the 6.09m supply cut-off threshold.
At its lowest point last week, the dam was just 15.8cm above the cut-off level, raising concerns over irrigation supply to padi fields in the Kerian scheme.
The latest update shows an upward arrow on storage levels, indicating stabilisation after several days of decline.
Inflow into the dam has risen sharply to 9.19 cubic metres per second, nearly double the 4.720 cubic metres per second recorded on Feb 12.
Despite the improvement, the dam remains at Level Three Critical, which is triggered when levels fall below 6.4m.
Water continues to be released to sustain irrigation.
Outflow through Terusan Selinsing stands at 6.230 cubic metres per second, while Terusan Besar is discharging 0.566 cubic metres per second.
Total discharge remains at 6.796 cubic metres per second.
Rainfall was recorded at several stations, including 27.5mm in Kg Sempeneh, 23.5mm in Pondok Tanjung, 19.5mm at Bukit Merah and 11.0mm in Pantai Besar.
Storage is now at 8.5271 million cubic metres, or 15.65%.
Bukit Merah Dam plays a key role in supplying water to irrigation canals feeding padi fields in Kerian, and is also a tap water source for about 160,000 people.
