KUALA LUMPUR: With some rain expected in Penang tomorrow or Saturday as well as prudent water management, Penangites should not be unduly worried about the decreasing water level in the state’s catchment areas.
However, the Malaysian Meteorological Department said extra precautions should be taken ahead of drier weather expected in the northern states next month.
The department’s director-general Jailan Simon said its forecast showed intermittent rainfall in Penang, with the next rainfall expected to take place tomorrow or Saturday.
“We expect some rain soon in Penang. Some parts of Kedah and Perlis may also see the same.
“With good water management and alternative resources like underground water or pumping in water from other dams, we believe there will be sufficient water to use this month.
“However, our biggest concern now is the weather forecast next month where a dry spell is expected without any forecast of rain.”
Jailan said although the hot and dry weather was an annual cycle, this year’s hot spell was “a little unusual” as the water levels at catchment areas in the northern states were lower than usual compared with the years before.
“The extra hot weather up north could be due to climate variation, which can happen unexpectedly from time to time.
“In fact, last week, the department had planned for cloud seeding in the northern states, but it had to call it off at the last minute due to unsuitable wind and weather conditions,” he said.
Meanwhile, in Alor Star, Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir said the state was ready to initiate cloud seeding operations.
“We are on standby to start cloud seeding. You need the right cloud conditions for the process,” he said here yesterday.