Nation

Penang has applied for cloud seeding, yet to get a response from Nadma

GEORGE TOWN: Penang, through Badan Kawal Selia Air (BKSA), has written to the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) twice for cloud seeding to be conducted to fill the two dams on the island.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the state has yet to receive any response from Nadma.

The prolonged dry spell has resulted in the water level of both dams to dwindle.

Today, the effective capacity of the Air Itam Dam stood at 35.8 per cent while the Teluk Bahang Dam is currently at 29.6 per cent.

Chow however said the recent cloud seeding operations in Kedah would help Penang's situation.

"We wrote to Nadma twice on July 19. We also sent follow-up letters. However, we have not heard from them.

"On the island, we are still facing a challenge to fill the two dams.

"We have been drawing down water from the Expanded Mengkuang Dam (EMD) to prevent from any water issues," he told newsmen at his office here today.

Water consumers in the state have again been told to reduce their consumption by 10 per cent until the anticipated rainy season begins in September.

From January to last month, the average water consumption in Penang was 887 million litres per day (MLD), compared to the corresponding period last year, of 877 MLD.

Meanwhile, Chow said based on the latest information they received, the water level of Sungai Muda had increased due to the cloud seeding operations in Kedah.

"If there is rainfall, then it can fill up the Muda Dam in Kedah. The water then can be released into Sungai Muda.

"So, we will be able to use the raw water for our use here. We depend on 85 per cent raw water supply from Sungai Muda to meet our needs.

"So, even if there is no cloud seeding operations here, the cloud seedings in Kedah also help in our situation," he added.

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