Water Levels At Three Mada Dams Stand At 47 Pct

ALOR SETAR, July 25 (Bernama) -- The reservoir water level of the three dams under the Muda Agricultural Development Authority (MADA) is at 47 per cent, as of today.

MADA in a statement said the water level in the Muda Dam is decreasing as the reservoir water level is only 9.96 per cent while it is at 43.1 per cent in Pedu Dam and the Ahning Dam is at 83.07 per cent.

"The main function of the MADA dam is to store water for irrigation of padi crops and domestic water supply in northern Kedah and south Perlis. The current condition of the reservoir is due to very low rainfall in the dam catchment areas this year.

"From January to July, the rainfall was 812 millimetres (mm) compared to the 20-year average (2004 to 2023) of 1,085 mm for the same period," he said.

MADA said, however, the water reservoirs in the three dams are categorised as normal and still high when compared to the lowest record in 1974 until 2023, which is the Muda Dam at 2.7 per cent, the Pedu Dam (11.21 per cent) and the Ahning Dam at 27 per cent.

In the efforts to increase reservoir water levels, MADA said it is collaborating with the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA), Malaysian Meteorological Department (MET Malaysia), and Kedah State Water Resources Board (LSANK) to conduct cloud seeding operations within the reservoir catchment areas.

"This cloud seeding operation (CSO) depends on conducive atmospheric conditions such as high humidity, presence of cumulus clouds, and gentle wind speeds to facilitate the targeted rainfall," it said.

MADA also mentioned its plans to maximise the use of recycled water pumping stations and optimise the use of river water flowing into MADA canals.

"The public need not panic about the current water levels in the Muda Dam, as per the long-term weather outlook for July to December provided by MET Malaysia, rainfall in the MADA area is expected to remain within average ranges throughout the period.

"The current water level at Pedu Dam remains sufficient to meet irrigation needs for the success of the 2024 Season 1 rice cultivation as well as demand for domestic and industrial purposes within the MADA area," it added.

-- BERNAMA