Over 3,000 Tube Wells Activated To Address Dry Weather Challenges - DPM Ahmad Zahid

SUBANG, Aug 4 (Bernama) -- The government has activated approximately 3,300 tube wells in fire-prone areas as part of its preparedness measures in response to the ongoing hot and dry weather brought on by the Southwest Monsoon.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) has been tasked with cleaning and reactivating the wells, especially in vulnerable areas such as peatlands and forest areas.

“These tube wells were established some time ago, and during the Southwest Monsoon, immediate operational action is taken through the cooperation of the fire department and district-level disaster committees.”

He said this to reporters after joining a cloud seeding operation alongside National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) director-general Datuk Abdul Halim Hamzah, and MetMalaysia deputy director-general (Strategy and Technical) Mohd Zunaidi Mat at the Subang Air Base, today.

Ahmad Zahid said that the Southwest Monsoon, which brings prolonged dry weather and rising temperatures, is expected to last until mid-October, requiring all relevant agencies to maintain a high level of preparedness.

“Based on advice from NADMA and MetMalaysia, we’re ensuring optimal preparedness levels, especially in areas experiencing extreme heat,” he said.

The Deputy Prime Minister also noted that the Ministry of Health (MOH) has issued public health advisories to limit public exposure to extreme heat, including recommending the rescheduling of outdoor school activities to protect students from heat-related risks.

“Awareness efforts must be intensified to prevent outdoor activities, especially involving schoolchildren. Coordination is being done with District Education Offices (PPD) to rearrange outdoor learning activities,” he added.

Earlier, Ahmad Zahid announced that cloud seeding operations by NADMA over Bukit Merah Dam in Perak, which had reached a critical water level, were successful, with heavy rain reported just 45 minutes after the operation.

He explained that the operation was launched in response to the prolonged dry weather affecting local communities and farmlands, as water levels at the dam had dropped to just 12.21 per cent or 19.8 feet in depth.

-- BERNAMA