Water levels at Bukit Merah Dam rise slightly after cloud seeding
Perak water committee chairman Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin said the operation was carried out on Aug 4 following prolonged dry weather brought on by the Southwest Monsoon, which has severely affected catchment areas in Bagan Serai.
'Bukit Merah Dam had reached its irrigation supply cut-off level of 6.096m (20feet) on July 22 due to the lack of rainfall.
'According to standard operating procedures, irrigation supply was halted to prioritise raw water needs,' he said in a statement Tuesday (Aug 5).
Mohammad Nizar said the cloud seeding exercise was led by the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma), with support from the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia), Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF), and other related agencies.
He said Deputy Prime Minister and National Disaster Committee chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was present to observe the operation via an aerial monitoring flight over the dam.
'According to the Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID), the operation brought effective rainfall to several catchment areas between 12pm and 2pm, with increased water inflow recorded at the Pondok Tanjung Station from 3pm onwards.
'As of 8am on Aug 5, the water level at the dam rose from 6.035m to 6.096m. Its storage capacity also increased from 12.2% to 13.31%,' he said.
He added that despite the improvement, the dam's status remains at the irrigation cut-off level.
'DID said the increased storage would help extend domestic water supply, but irrigation to padi fields under the Kerian scheme could not yet be resumed.
'The department will continue to closely monitor the situation and coordinate with relevant agencies to ensure water supply remains at a safe and sustainable level,' he added.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
8 hours ago
- The Star
Nadma reports six new heat-related illness cases on Aug 5
PETALING JAYA: Six new cases of heat-related illnesses were reported on Aug 5, according to the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma). "The cumulative cases related to heat in 2025 stand at 46. The breakdown includes 42 cases of heat exhaustion and four cases of heat exertion," Nadma stated in its weather status report, which compiles updates from various agencies. Regarding state-specific data, 12 cases were reported in Selangor, seven in Perak, six in Sabah, five each in Melaka and Johor, four in Terengganu, three in Negeri Sembilan, and two each in Pahang and Kedah. These cases involved 23 adults, 22 adolescents, and one senior citizen. "No heat-related deaths have been reported from Jan 1 to Aug 5. All heat-related illness cases have recovered and were discharged from their respective treatment facilities." As of 4pm on Aug 5, only Machang district in Kelantan reported a cautionary level temperature, or Level 1 heatwave alert, which is an improvement from the 16 districts on July 29. The weather pattern is expected to persist from Aug 6 to Aug 12, with the maximum alert level anticipated to remain at Level 1. A Level 1 alert is issued when the maximum daily temperature ranges between 35°C and 37°C for three consecutive days. The Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) has released a drought alert for the Sungai Muda basin in Baling, Kedah. "As of Aug 6, the Bukit Merah Dam in Perak showed an increase of 0.4% in its raw water stock, although it remained at a critical level, at 16.83%, compared to 16.43% on Aug 5." Two dams, the Muda Dam (32.95%) and Ahning Dam (58.54%), were at alert levels. Regarding air pollution, no areas reported unhealthy air quality. Nadma also reported that Cloud Seeding Operations (OPA) on Aug 4 yielded positive results, with heavy rainfall reported 45 minutes after the operation was conducted over the dam area.
New Straits Times
20 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Laos floods: No Malaysians affected, says Foreign Ministry
KUALA LUMPUR: There have been no reports of Malaysians being affected by the floods following Typhoon Wipha and Southwest Monsoon rains in Laos, Malaysia's Foreign Ministry said. In a media advisory on Tuesday, the ministry nevertheless advised all Malaysians residing in or travelling through Laos to exercise caution, follow the instructions of local authorities, and remain alert to weather updates and official advisories. "The Foreign Ministry, through the Embassy of Malaysia in Vientiane, is closely monitoring the situation in Laos following widespread flooding caused by heavy rainfall from the Southwest Monsoon and Typhoon Wipha," the statement read. The Foreign Ministry will provide updates as necessary to ensure the safety and well-being of Malaysians in Laos. "Malaysians in Laos are also encouraged to register with the embassy and stay in close contact for timely assistance and information," the statement read. According to the Asean Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance (AHA Centre), the disaster has affected over 58,000 people from 34,000 families across 10 provinces. Nine fatalities and four missing person cases have been reported to date. For consular assistance, Malaysians may contact the Embassy of Malaysia in Vientiane at Nongbone Road, Ban Phonexay, P.O. Box 789, Vientiane, Laos, by phone at +856 21 414205 / +856 21 414201 or +856 20 5553 1801 (emergency), or via e-mail at mwvientiane@ — BERNAMA
The Sun
21 hours ago
- The Sun
No Malaysians affected by Laos floods, says Foreign Ministry
KUALA LUMPUR: There have been no reports of Malaysians being affected by the floods following Typhoon Wipha and Southwest Monsoon rains in Laos, Malaysia's Foreign Ministry said. In a media advisory on Tuesday, the ministry nevertheless advised all Malaysians residing in or travelling through Laos to exercise caution, follow the instructions of local authorities, and remain alert to weather updates and official advisories. 'The Foreign Ministry, through the Embassy of Malaysia in Vientiane, is closely monitoring the situation in Laos following widespread flooding caused by heavy rainfall from the Southwest Monsoon and Typhoon Wipha,' the statement read. The Foreign Ministry will provide updates as necessary to ensure the safety and well-being of Malaysians in Laos. 'Malaysians in Laos are also encouraged to register with the embassy and stay in close contact for timely assistance and information,' the statement read. According to the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance (AHA Centre), the disaster has affected over 58,000 people from 34,000 families across 10 provinces. Nine fatalities and four missing person cases have been reported to date. For consular assistance, Malaysians may contact the Embassy of Malaysia in Vientiane at Nongbone Road, Ban Phonexay, P.O. Box 789, Vientiane, Laos, by phone at +856 21 414205 / +856 21 414201 or +856 20 5553 1801 (emergency), or via e-mail at mwvientiane@ - Bernama
