PERBADANAN Bekalan Air Pulau Pinang (PBAPP) has asked the Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) to accelerate cloud seeding in the northern peninsula to address the low water levels at six major dams in Penang and Kedah, following an unusual dry spell.

PBAPP chief executive officer Jaseni Maidinsa said as of yesterday, the effective capacity of the major dams in Penang – Air Itam, Teluk Bahang and Mengkuang – was at 33.3%, 20.9% and 68.3% respectively, while the water level at Sg Muda has dropped to 1.29m, which is way below the critical level of 1.5m (normal water level is at least 2m).

He said the effective capacity of major dams in Kedah – namely Muda, Beris and Pedu – was 4.4%, 39.6% and 33.4% respectively.

“According to MetMalaysia, the country is currently experiencing monsoon transition and rain is expected.

“However, we are requesting cloud seeding to be done immediately to help us tackle the risk of insufficient rainfall.

“It is better to conduct cloud seeding now because the current presence of rain clouds will increase the success rate of triggering rain.

“We need more rain in the six major water catchment areas in both Penang and Kedah, as well as Sg Muda, as both states need sufficient water supply to help combat the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said in a statement today.

Jaseni said in the current circumstances, PBAPP could not aggressively release the low water reserves from the dams, to provide raw water to the water treatment plants.

In addition he had also received complaints of low water pressure or intermittent water disruption in the last few days, especially at higher elevations or areas at the far end of the pipeline in Pokok Ceri, Hye Keat Estate (Air Itam), Flat 420 Penang Hill Park, Kampung Paya Terubong, Kampung Gertak Sanggul and Mount Erskine (behind the Lorong Air Terjun).

“PBAPP has dispatched water tankers to the affected areas, as well as increasing water supply from Air Itam and/or Batu Ferringhi Water Treatment Plants to address these issues.

“We apologise to consumers who are currently experiencing low water pressure or water disruption problems. We will do our best to alleviate the problem.

He added that PBAPP will keep focusing on their objective ‘to avoid water rationing in any circumstances’ until the capacity of the dams are adequately filled with rainwater. – Bernama, April 15, 2020.