7 water sources to be affected by hot weather
The Muda Dam in Sik, Kedah, is among seven dams that are seeing reduced water levels amid the current heatwave. (Bernama pic)
PETALING JAYA: The government expects seven water sources in the country to be affected by the hot weather brought about by the southwest monsoon season, says deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
According to Bernama, Zahid said Kedah, Perak and Selangor each have two water sources that could be affected by the hot weather, while another is in Sarawak.
He said cloud seeding would be carried out in these areas with the air force’s assistance if the situation worsens.
This was among the government’s pre-planned steps to minimise the effects of the hot weather on users, with the southwest monsoon set to last till September.
“(The government’s) concern is the (possible) lack of water for domestic, agricultural and industrial users due to the dry season.
“The Malaysian meteorological department’s forecast is that the rate of rainfall will decrease due to the southwest monsoon, so steps have been taken by the federal government, especially through the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma),” he said.
Zahid, who is also the rural and regional development minister, led a visit to the Muda Dam in Sik, Kedah, to survey the reservoir’s water level. The dam is among seven dams that are seeing reduced water levels amid the current heatwave.
Earlier, Zahid said Putrajaya was ready to declare the current heatwave an emergency if necessary, though this would not happen yet. He added that cloud seeding would be carried out immediately to increase water levels at the seven dams.
