ALOR SETAR: Northern states are already grappling with hot and dry conditions ahead of any official El Nino declaration, sparking concerns for the first padi planting season that began on April 15.
Worries are mounting among farmers as water levels in key reservoirs continue to decline.
As of yesterday, total storage across the three dams under the Muda Agricultural Development Authority (Mada) stood at just 38.46% of capacity.
Pedu Dam recorded 39.39%, down sharply from 69.83% a year ago, while Muda Dam fell to 8.56% from 53.80%.
Ahning Dam stood at 51.58%, compared with 73.36% previously.
With overall levels dipping below the 40% threshold required for large-scale irrigation, Mada said water releases would be capped at 19,800 litres per second and prioritised strictly for domestic use.
Mada chairman Datuk Dr Ismail Salleh said the authority is urging farmers to adopt a hybrid planting approach, combining dry direct seeding with opportunistic use of rainfall.
“We urge farmers to retain and maximise any rainfall on their fields,” he said, adding that they should manage water carefully, maintain field embankments, and stay alert to weeds and pest infestations amid limited supplies.
On the ground, farmers are already feeling the strain.
Mohd Fauzi Hussain, 48, said some padi farmers have delayed planting due to insufficient water flow from Sungai Muda.
“But we must start soon. If not, harvesting may fall during the rainy season, which will reduce both yield and quality,” he said.
Abdul Kadir Ismail, 69, said erratic weather patterns are fuelling concerns about delays and lower output.
“The planting season was supposed to begin last month, but some of us have not been able to start yet.
“It is even more challenging for farmers whose fields are far from rivers or irrigation channels, as they have to rely on diesel-powered pumps,” he said.
The heat is also intensifying.
Perlis and several districts in Kedah, including Kubang Pasu, Pendang, Kota Setar and Padang Terap, have recorded Level 1 hot weather alerts by the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) – triggered when temperatures reach between 35°C and 37°C for at least three consecutive days.
Universiti Sains Malaysia atmospheric physicist Assoc Prof Dr Yusri Yusup said the current spell is driven by seasonal wind changes and transitional weather patterns.
“We are transitioning from the north-east monsoon to the south-west monsoon, which typically brings weaker winds, reduced but intermittent rainfall and warmer temperatures,” he said.
Yusri noted that temperatures in Penang have risen by 1°C to 2°C since January.
While notable, he said conditions remain within a neutral El Nino–Southern Oscillation phase for now.
“It is not El Nino yet, but conditions may gradually trend towards it by mid-2026, extending into the southwest monsoon period,” he said.
Yusri added that the ongoing inter-monsoon phase from March to May will still bring some rainfall, offering temporary relief, but drier and warmer conditions are expected to intensify from June onwards.
