PETALING JAYA: Cloud seeding operations are starting to pay off with the ensuing rainfall lifting water levels at the Muda and Pedu dams in Kedah.
Although still at critical levels, water levels at the Muda dam increased to 9.98% of capacity as of press time yesterday.
According to figures from the National Water Services Commission dashboard, this was an increase from the 9.78% capacity recorded on Tuesday.
Water levels at the Pedu dam also increased to 40.35% capacity, up 0.05% from Tuesday’s 40.3%.
Water levels at both dams had been declining since December last year.
Other dams in the north, meanwhile, recorded fluctuating water levels over the past few days.
As at press time, water levels at the Ahning dam in Kedah stood at 53.62% capacity, putting it at warning levels, while the Timah Tasoh dam in Perlis remains at critical levels (34.05% capacity).
The Beris dam in Kedah was at 54.65% capacity, a slight drop from the day before (55.1%).
The BS Padang Saga dam in Kedah recorded the biggest drop in water levels up north, down to 43.5% capacity from 46.3% on Tuesday.
This comes as cloud seeding operations were carried out at the catchment areas of the Muda, Pedu and Ahning dams in Kedah, as well as the Timah Tasoh dam in Perlis.
Deputy Prime Minister and Central Disaster Management Committee chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the operations on Tuesday resulted in significant rainfall across both Perlis and Kedah.
Citing data from Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) stations, he said between 10mm and 45mm of rain was recorded in Perlis from 7pm to 8pm, while 6mm and 57.4mm of rainfall was recorded in Kedah between 7pm and 10pm.
“This proves that cloud seeding, if carried out in optimal atmospheric conditions, is effective in handling water shortages at critical catchment areas,” he said in a statement.
Ahmad Zahid also assured that the government would continue to strengthen such proactive approaches to safeguard water supply security, public well-being and the sustainability of the agricultural sector.
Meanwhile, another round of cloud seeding operations was carried out at the catchment areas of the Temenggor and Bukit Merah dams in Perak yesterday.
On a related matter, nine localities nationwide were issued Level 1 heatwave alerts as of 4pm yesterday, according to MetMalaysia.
They were Kota Setar, Padang Terap and Sik in Kedah; Kuala Krai, Machang, Pasir Mas, Tanah Merah and Jeli in Kelantan; and Perlis.
Level 1 alerts are issued when temperatures range from 35°C to 37°C for at least three days.
