SIX states are expected to see an average annual rainfall of below 25% as the hot spell continues in April and May that may result in dams and rivers drying up, said Water, Land and Natural Resources Minister Dr Xavier Jayakumar. 

Negri Sembilan, Perak, Kedah, Pahang, Terengganu and Kelantan are the affected places.

Meanwhile, the river basins of Sg Muda, Sg Kedah and Sg Melaka are expected to need additional water supply from the connecting dams to support padi planting activities that are taking place in April.

Sg Muda will require more supply from Bersi dam while Sg Kedah will require the same from Muda, Pedu and Ahning dams. Sg Melaka will be relying on the Jus dam.

Xavier said in a statement that the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) has suggested to the states to ration water released from the dams. 

The DID is also tasked to conduct checks and update state water authorities on drought conditions on a weekly basis.

As for March, Setiu and Hulu Perak are under the Alert category after not experiencing rain in the last 30 and 56 days. 

Rembau and Tampin in Negri Sembilan along with Rompin in Pahang are critical areas that have received an average annual rainfall of less than 25%.

Cameron Highlands and Kuantan in Pahang, Padang Terap in Kedah, Dungun, and Hulu Terangganu, Kemaman and Kuala Terengganu in Terengganu are under the dangerous category.

Xavier said there are three dams with water storage capacity in the 50% range. 

The Muda dam in Kedah has a storage capacity of 58.97% while the Sembrong and Machap dams in Johor are at 54.7% and 55.61%. 

The Bukit Kwong dam in Kelantan only has a storage capacity of 37.28%.

The minister said water supply for consumers, industries and agriculture from those dams has to be controlled.

As for padi planters, Xavier said water rationing or rescheduling of planting may have to be implemented. – March 23, 2019