YAN: The Muda Agricultural Development Authority (Mada) is committed to ensuring the efficient use of water from the three dams under its jurisdiction to mitigate the anticipated effects of the prolonged drought expected next year
Its chairman Datuk Dr Ismail Salleh said it anticipated an increase in water levels at the Pedu, Ahning and Muda dams by the end of this year, which should ensure a sufficient supply for agricultural, domestic and industrial use.
"It is currently the harvest season in the Mada agricultural area, and the release of water from the dams has been halted. With the onset of rainfall, water levels are beginning to rise. We hope that the water level at the Pedu Dam will reach 72 per cent of its capacity by the end of this year.
"This level would be ideal for us to proceed with paddy cultivation for the 2/2024 and 1/2025 planting seasons. According to our data and the forecast of the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia), we are confident that we will not face any water supply issues next year," he said.
Ismail was speaking to reporters today at the northern zone "Jelajah Amanat Merdeka" programme, officiated by the programme director, Senator Datuk Seri Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa, at the Guar Chempedak Permanent Farmers' Market.
He also said that farmers had been reminded to adhere strictly to the paddy-planting and water release schedules to prevent any wastage of water.
"We do not rely solely on water from the dams; we also depend on rainfall. We practise water recycling and distribute it to higher areas on a rotational basis.
"The Ahning Dam supports the Pedu Dam when the water level at the latter is low. For instance, we recently released 400 million litres from the Ahning Dam to the Pedu Dam," he added.
As of today, the water levels stand at 34.72 per cent at the Pedu Dam, 14.12 per cent at the Muda Dam, and 78.82 per cent at the Ahning Dam.– BERNAMA