KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is expected to continue experiencing hot and dry weather until May, says Water, Land and Natural Resource Minister Dr Xavier Jayakumar.
He also said that six states - Negri Sembilan, Johor, Perak, Kedah, Pahang and Kelantan - are expected to face water shortage due to the dry weather and lack of rainfall.
In a statement today, the minister said several locations have not received rain for over 30 days, including Hulu Perak (56 days) and Setiu, Terengganu (31 days).
Dr Xavier said other areas which received less than 25 per cent of the average annual rainfall were Rembau and Tampin in Negri Sembilan, and Rompin in Pahang.
Also, Padang Terap in Kedah, Cameron Highlands and Kuantan in Pahang and Dungun, Hulu Terengganu, Kemaman and Kuala Terengganu have been placed under the "dangerous" category as these areas did not receive enough rainfall.
The current dry weather, he said, would lead to the dying of rivers and dam water in the country.
Dr Xavier said three dams recorded a storage capacity of around 50%, namely the Muda Dam at 58.97% (Kedah), Machap Dam at 55.61% and Sembrong Dam at 54.07% (Johor).
The Bukit Kwong Dam in Kelantan recorded a storage capacity of 37.28%, he added.
He said the distribution of water to consumers, in terms of daily, industrial and agricultural needs especially for padi growers, should be controlled either by rotation or rescheduling the replanting of the crop.
Dr Xavier said the Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) had requested that authorities in the respective states to also discharge water from their dams in a more controlled manner. -- BERNAMA