05-08-2025
Cloud seeding fails to lift dam levels, Kerian Irrigation still halted
IPOH: Irrigation supply to the Kerian Irrigation Scheme remains suspended as Bukit Merah Dam water levels stay at the cut-off point, despite heavy rainfall from a recent cloud seeding operation.
State Infrastructure, Energy, Water, and Public Transport committee chairman Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin said the existing standard operating procedure (SOP) for irrigation from the dam's lake remains in effect, which sets the cut-off level at 20 feet (6.09 metres).
"As of 8am today, the water level at the dam recorded an increase from 19.80 feet to 20.00 feet, and the dam's storage capacity also rose from 6.65 million cubic metres (12.2 per cent) to 7.25 million cubic metres (13.31 per cent)," Mohammad Nizar said in a statement today.
"However, the dam's current status remains at the Irrigation Supply Cut-off Level as set in the existing SOP.
"The increase in dam storage capacity helps somewhat to extend the availability of water for domestic use, but the supply for irrigation to the Kerian Irrigation Scheme still cannot be resumed," he added.
The cloud-seeding operation, which was conducted around 12pm yesterday, led to effective rainfall in several catchment areas of the Bukit Merah Dam, with a noticeable increase in inflow at the Pondok Tanjung Station.
The dam is located in Bagan Serai.
The operation was led by the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) in collaboration with the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia), the Royal Malaysian Air Force, and other relevant agencies.
Mohammad Nizar said the dam's catchment area has reached the irrigation cut-off level of 20.00 feet since July 22, and based on the dam's operational SOP, the water supply to paddy fields has been temporarily halted to prioritise raw water supply.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who joined the aerial operation alongside senior officials from Nadma and MetMalaysia, said the operation was triggered by severe water shortages affecting surrounding communities and agricultural zones.
