Post by : Shakul

Sungai Muda water levels have returned to a safe range following several days of heavy rainfall, bringing relief to water authorities and residents in Penang. The Penang Water Supply Corporation, commonly known as PBAPP, confirmed that the river’s water level is now above two metres, which is considered sufficient to meet the current raw water demand for the state. Officials said the recent rain distribution across the region helped stabilise the situation after concerns over dropping levels last month.

PBAPP chief executive officer Datuk K. Pathmanathan shared the update during a visit to a pipeline installation project in Jelutong. He explained that the river has remained at a stable level over the last three days due to continuous rainfall in several catchment areas. Authorities are now carefully monitoring the river to ensure that water levels remain steady in the coming weeks as the river continues to serve as Penang’s primary source of raw water supply.

Last month, Sungai Muda experienced a sharp decline in water levels that raised serious concerns among state officials. At one point, the water level at the Lahar Tiang intake reportedly dropped to the danger mark of 1.27 metres. The low level sparked fears about possible disruptions to water supply, especially during the warmer months when demand usually increases. The issue also renewed discussions about long-term water security planning for Penang.

According to Pathmanathan, one possible reason for the earlier decline could have been water releases upstream in neighbouring Kedah for agricultural irrigation purposes. Since Sungai Muda flows through Kedah before reaching Penang, any large-scale release of water upstream can directly affect river levels downstream. Officials are now maintaining close coordination and observation to avoid further sudden drops in the river’s water capacity.

Although the current situation is stable, PBAPP warned that rainfall is expected to decrease gradually until September. Due to this forecast, authorities are urging more careful management of water resources across the region. Water officials said there is still a need to prepare for a possible dry season that may place additional pressure on rivers, dams, and overall supply systems in the coming months.

Apart from Sungai Muda, water levels in several dams across Penang are also being closely monitored. The Air Itam Dam is currently operating at around 52.8 per cent capacity, while the Teluk Bahang Dam stands at approximately 71.8 per cent capacity. Officials noted that although these figures remain manageable, dam levels have continued to show signs of gradual decline in recent weeks.

The Expanded Mengkuang Dam remains in a more comfortable position with water storage levels at about 90.2 per cent capacity. Authorities said the strong storage level at the dam is helping provide additional confidence for Penang’s water reserve planning. However, officials stressed that the state cannot afford to become complacent because changing weather patterns can quickly affect water availability.

As part of its proactive strategy, PBAPP has announced plans to increase the transfer of raw water from Sungai Muda to Penang island. Currently, about 420 million litres per day are being channelled to consumers. The corporation now plans to raise the supply by an additional 20 million litres daily in order to strengthen water availability and meet the growing demand from households and businesses.

Officials said the increased supply is expected to support consumers during the upcoming dry months and reduce the risk of shortages. PBAPP described the move as a short-term preventive measure aimed at ensuring stable and uninterrupted water services for residents across Penang. Authorities also encouraged the public to continue practising responsible water usage as weather conditions remain unpredictable throughout the year.

#Asia News #Malaysia News #Environment #Water Resistance