Water levels at seven dams in Malaysia at crisis stage

KUCHING — The water levels at seven dams in Peninsula Malaysia are at the crisis stage, according to Natural Resources and Environment Minister Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.

He said the capacities at the Bukit Merah Dam in Perak; Timah Tasoh Dam in Perlis and Padang Saga Dam in Kedah now could only cover one month’s supply of water if there is no rain, while water in the Labong and Beris dams could last about three months.

Dr Wan Junaidi was speaking to reporters after launching the Muara Sungai Buntal Beach Erosion Control and Rehabilitation Project in Kampung Sungai Buntal, Santubong, about 25km from Kuching.

Urging people to using water sparingly during the current dry season, he said the low capacities at major dams not only affect domestic users but also the industrial and agriculture sectors.

Asked if underground water would be sourced to meet the needs of the agriculture sector, Dr Wan Junaidi said it was not an easy task and could also have adverse implications on the environment, including lowering water capacity at lakes.

The seven dams and water levels:

• Bukit Kwong, Kelantan - at 6.9 per cent of its full capacity

• Labong, Johor - at 12.4 per cent of its full capacity

• Bukit Merah, Perak - at 20.2 per cent of its full capacity

• Beris, Kedah - at 25.9 per cent of its full capacity

• Timah Tasoh, Perlis - at 27.6 per cent of its full capacity

• Muda, Kedah - at 30.4 per cent of its full capacity

• Padang Saga, Kedah - at 33.9 per cent of its full capacity

BERNAMA