THE cloud seeding in Penang is set to continue in June as well after a successful operation this month, resulting in the increase of water capacity at its three dams – Mengkuang, Air Itam and Teluk Bahang.
Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) chief executive officer Datuk Jaseni Maidinsa told Buletin Mutiara that the cloud seeding carried out this month had shown a positive impact.
“We have achieved good results in Air Itam, Mengkuang and Kedah dams as well but improvement is much needed in Teluk Bahang Dam.
“The water capacity at Air Itam Dam has increased by 12%, Mengkuang Dam by 7.9% and Teluk Bahang Dam by merely 2.5%.
“We need to continue with this initiative as we have found out that there will be clouds next month. So it is an opportunity for us to continue with cloud seeding. However, July and August are predictably to be dry weather.
“PBAPP is also getting ready to brace for a dry season next year and all dams must have at least 70% of water capacity by the end of this year.
“The water storage in Mengkuang Dam, nevertheless, proves to be the best thus far as it records 74.7%.
“That’s why we need to focus our effort on increasing the water capacity in Teluk Bahang Dam,” he said when briefing Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow during a visit to the Air Itam Dam this morning.
The capacity readings recorded at the two other Penang dams as of this morning are 44.4% at Air Itam and Teluk Bahang (22.9%).
Also present were Bukit Bendera MP Wong Hon Wai, state Public Works, Utilities and Flood Mitigation Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari and Air Itam assemblyman Joseph Ng Soon Siang.
Chow said he was glad that the recent rainfall had also helped to increase water level in Beris and Muda dams in Kedah.
“These are the strategic water sources for Penang. The state has also taken note of the PBAPP’s recommendation to have more cloud seeding operations so that the water capacity at all dams can be increased to 70% by end of the year.
“We did not have 70% capacity target last year as Air Itam Dam recorded 65%, Teluk Bahang Dam 41% and Mengkuang Dam 74%,” he said.
On the Kedah government’s decision not to propose award of new logging concessions, Chow welcomed the move by the neighbouring state.
He said the Ulu Muda catchment area has been gazetted by the previous Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir while the logging contracts had been cancelled as well.
“This will ensure Ulu Muda catchment area continues to supply water to Perlis, Kedah and Penang, benefiting over four million people, industries and commercial activities in the northern state.
“The state hopes that Ulu Muda continues to be gazetted as a water catchment for the northern region,” he added.
On the Sungai Perak Raw Water Transfer Scheme (SPRWTS), Chow said state would continue to pursue the matter.
He pointed out water is the primary issue and state would be continuing its effort.
“Zairil has been tasked to liaising with relevant authorities for further negotiation while our Member of Parliaments (MPs) will definitely the raise the issue in Parliament as well,” he said, adding that the Federal Government and state must work together to implement it.
Jaseni said state and the PBAPP were seeking to commission the SPRWTS by 2025.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix and video by Alissala Thian