JOHOR BARU: Water dams nationwide still have enough supply even as Malaysia braces for drier days with El Nino predicted to strengthen.
National Water Services Commission (SPAN) chief executive officer Datuk Ahmad Faizal Abdul Rahman said, however, two critical dams have been identified.
“Water supplies at the Timah Tasoh Dam in Perlis and the Muda Dam in Kedah will last for 50 days," he told reporters on Tuesday (Aug 18) during an operation codenamed Ops Tebrau.
Ahmad Faizal said the operation from Aug 17 until Aug 19, 2026, was to intensify enforcement against premise owners who fail to comply with scheduled septic tank emptying notices.
“Historically, September and October will see the northern parts of the country experiencing rains before the country transitions into the northeast monsoon season from the southwest monsoon," he added.
Ahmad Faizal said he hoped rainfalls expected to take place in the two months would help to raise the water levels at the Perlis and the Kedah dams.
“As of now, the situation at Perlis and Kedah is still under control, and the authorities have plans to address the issues there, including pumping water from rivers into both dams," he said.
Ahmad Faizal said that cloud seeding would be the last resort as the method was costly - around RM80,000 to RM100,000 per attempt.
He said four cloud seeding operations were conducted from April to July this year, covering the northern and southern regions, including in Johor.
“Water levels at dams in Johor are already on the rise following rain in the state for the past one to two weeks," said Ahmad Faizal.
