PETALING JAYA: The sweltering heat continues to grip the peninsula, with alerts issued for 10 dams over depleting water levels.
The Muda dam in Kedah remains the hardest hit, being only at 7.72% of its full capacity as at press time yesterday, according to figures from the National Water Services Commission (SPAN) dashboard.
Water levels here have been declining since Dec 10 last year.
The Timah Tasoh dam in Perlis also reached warning levels, with it only being at 38.1% of its full capacity.
Caution notices were also issued for the Ahning (54.72%), Beris (59.69%) and Padang Saga (60.9%) dams in Kedah; the Bukit Merah dam in Perak (38.31%); as well as the Labong (60.1%), Gunung Pulai 2 (47.78%), Upper Layang (43.43%) and Lebam (57.52%) dams in Johor.
The heatwave in Pasir Mas, Kelantan, and Segamat in Johor were the latest localities being hit with Level 1 alerts issued as of 4pm yesterday, according to the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia).
Level 1 alerts are issued when temperatures range between 35°C and 37°C for at least three consecutive days.
Heatwave alerts were issued for 21 localities nationwide, with the bulk being in the northern states of Kedah, Penang, Perak and Perlis.
In Kedah, the Level 2 heatwave alerts continue to be issued for Baling, Pendang and Pokok Sena after temperatures ranged between 37°C and 40°C for at least three consecutive days.
Other localities with Level 1 alerts in Kedah are Sik, Padang Terap, Kubang Pasu, Pulau Langkawi, Kuala Muda, Kulim and Bandar Baharu.
In Penang, Level 1 alerts were again issued for Daerah Utara and Timur Laut.
The same alerts were issued for Selama, Kuala Kangsar, Kinta, Perak Tengah and Hulu Perak in Perak, Jerantut in Pahang as well as the state of Perlis.
MetMalaysia director-general Dr Mohd Hisham Mohd Anip, meanwhile, said that the country is expected to transition into the inter-monsoon period beginning May 29, marking the end of the north-east monsoon which began in November last year.
He said the inter-monsoon brings light winds from varying directions which can result in the formation of thunderstorm clouds.
These conditions, he said, can bring about heavy rains and strong winds within a short period, especially during the late evening and early in the night in most parts of the west and interior of the peninsula and the west coast of Sabah as well as Sarawak.
“It can potentially result in flash floods, fallen trees and damage to unstable infrastructure.
“The public is advised to be cautious and always alert to weather forecasts and warnings issued by MetMalaysia,” he said, adding that the public can access the department’s official website, the myCuaca mobile application and official social media accounts for more information.
