TEN short-term measures have been introduced in Melaka to ensure sufficient water supply, particularly during the current hot and dry weather.
State executive councillor for public works, infrastructure, public amenities and transport Datuk Hameed Mytheen Kunju Basheer said the measures include cloud seeding operations using hygroscopic flare methods across the Melaka River basin, the Kesang River and catchment areas for the Durian Tunggal, Jus and Asahan dams.
“Additionally, some 220 million litres of water are being pumped daily from the Grisek River in Muar to the Durian Tunggal Dam and five million litres per day from Ayer Keroh Lake to the Melaka River via Sungai Padang Keladi, as well as from Kesang 2 Pond to the Melaka River via Sungai Garing.”
“Also, water is being pumped from the Durian Tunggal and Krubong flood mitigation ponds into the Melaka River to raise its level and from Bunded Storage II to Bunded Storage I using temporary pumps for use at the Bukit Sebukor Water Treatment Plant,” he said.
He was responding to a question raised by Datuk Lim Ban Hong (BN-Kelebang) at the state legislative assembly yesterday about the state government’s plan to ensure an adequate water supply in Melaka.
Other measures, Hameed said, include releasing 220 million litres of water from the Jus Dam via the draw-off tower to increase the water level of the Batang Melaka River for supply to the Gadek Water Treatment Plant.
“Restrictions have also been imposed on water pumping for padi irrigation schemes at all individual and Irrigation and Drainage Department pump houses,” he said, adding that farmers were urged to use only the minimum required for irrigation.
He said that another 54 million litres of water per day are being pumped from the Jus Dam to the Durian Tunggal Dam using temporary pontoon pumps to boost their capacity.
“We are also in the process of identifying disused ponds located within forest reserves, as well as on government and private land, to be redirected into water bodies,” he said, as reported by Bernama.
As of April 7, water levels stood at 20,078 million litres (64.1%) at Durian Tunggal Dam, 25,900 million litres (57.3%) at Jus Dam and 612 million litres (87.9%) at Asahan Dam.
