ALOR SETAR: Kedah has applied to carry out cloud seeding operations over catchment areas and around dams to replenish water reserves amid declining levels at Muda Dam.
State water supply and environmental committee chairman Datuk Mohamad Yusoff Zakaria said the application was made through the Kedah State Water Resources Board and Muda Agricultural Development Authority.
He said the operation, to be coordinated by the National Disaster Management Agency, is expected to be carried out soon, subject to weather conditions and the necessary arrangements.
“There will be no water release from Muda Dam at this moment,” he said when contacted.
The low water level at Muda Dam is a concern as the reservoir plays an important role in supplying water for irrigation in the Mada area, which supports the country’s padi production.
Authorities are closely monitoring the situation and have sought cloud seeding over water catchment areas and reservoirs to help replenish water sources.
The latest reading on the National Water Services Commission (SPAN) website showed Muda Dam’s water level at 86.85m, slightly below its critical level of 86.90m and well below its maximum level of 100.60m.
Its storage level increased marginally to 10.36% from 10.28% the previous day.
Ahning Dam’s water level stood at 97.30m, above its critical level of 81.45m but below its maximum level of 113m.
Its storage level stood at 45.81%, compared with 45.86% the previous day.
Both readings were recorded yesterday.
Muda and Ahning dams, together with Timah Tasoh Dam, have been identified as critical dams requiring close monitoring amid concerns over declining water reserves in the northern region.
Meanwhile, in Perlis, the water level at Timah Tasoh Dam stood at 26.50m and will continue to be monitored by Syarikat Air Perlis (SAP).
In a Facebook post, SAP urged the public to use water wisely and avoid wastage as water reserves remain under close monitoring.
“Every drop counts, especially as the authorities continue efforts to increase water reserves through cloud seeding and other measures,” it said on Tuesday.
The SPAN website showed Timah Tasoh Dam’s storage level had increased to 33.31% yesterday, from 33.13% the previous day.
On Tuesday, Perlis Mentri Besar Abu Bakar Hamzah assured that the dam’s water reserves were still sufficient to meet domestic and agricultural needs.
