EFFORTS INCLUDING CLOUD SEEDING UNDERWAY TO STABILISE SUNGAI MUDA WATER LEVELS

ALOR SETAR, July 24 (Bernama) — Release of water from the Beris Dam in Sik will be conducted periodically to stabilise the water levels in Sungai Muda, which serves as the water source for Kedah and Penang.

“Four days ago, there was a release of 10 million cubic metres of water from the dam into Sungai Muda,” said Kedah Menteri Besar while adding that further periodic releases will follow until the water levels stabilise, ensuring clean water supply for Penang and Kedah.

This move was in response to a request from Penang due to declining water levels in Sungai Muda near the Perbadanan Bekalan Air Pulau Pinang (PBAPP) intake in Lahar Tiang, Bukit Mertajam.

"We sympathise with our neighbour, as I have seen images of drought at the Lahar Tiang intake due to the receding water levels of Sungai Muda, " he said at a press conference after chairing the Kedah exco meeting today.

Muhammad Sanusi added that his office has been informed by the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) that cloud seeding will be conducted soon to stabilise the water levels in Sungai Muda.

"In response to requests from the Kedah State Water Resources Board, MADA (Muda Agricultural Development Authority) and SADA (Syarikat Air Darul Aman) cloud seeding will be carried out by NADMA three times to stabilise the water levels in Sungai Muda," he said.

Earlier, PBAPP chief executive officer K.Pathmamathan was reported as saying that the water level of Sungai Muda near PBAPP's intake at Lahar Tiang had dropped below safe levels.

According to Pathmamathan, Kedah has the option to release more water from the Beris Dam to raise the levels of Sungai Muda, which would prevent any major issues at the 14 water treatment plants (WTP) in Kedah and the Sungai Dua WTP in Penang.

— BERNAMA