GEORGE TOWN, April 26 — The effects of the current super El Nino will turn Sungai Muda, the main water resource for Kedah and Penang, into a stream if the federal authorities fail to take proactive steps to prevent that eventuality.

Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) chief executive officer Datuk Jaseni Maidinsa said the federal government should immediately conduct more cloud seeding in catchment areas for the Beris and Muda dams in Kedah to raise the level of Sungai Muda.

“Or else, Sungai Muda will turn into a stream like Sungai Golok in Rantau Panjang, Kelantan,” Jaseni said. 

“From the water balance table, it is very clear there is already a serious deficit.”

Jaseni was referring to the situation at Sungai Golok, which divides Kelantan and Thailand, as the river has become a stream, making it easy for those wanting to cross the border without a passport.

Recent news reports stated border crossing activities were easier in certain spots along the river as people could cross Sungai Golok without getting their feet wet.

He added that this was the reason Penang was proposing to stop irrigation in Kedah, as the existing storage in the Beris and Muda dams could still supply 14 Kedah water treatment plants and the Penang water treatment plant until June 2016.

“If the Muda and Beris dams dry up, Penang will be badly affected because Sungai Muda will also dry up. The river supplies more than 80 per cent of Penang’s water needs,” he said.

“The situation will also affect Kedah because it has 14 water treatment plants along Sungai Muda in south Kedah, including Sungai Petani and Kulim Hi-Tech Park.”

On the rainfall in recent days in Penang, Jaseni said the rain had not raised the water level at the dams.

He said preventive measures were necessary to counter the current drought season and a water crisis can only be averted if rainfall continued to raise water levels at all dams in the northern region.

He said this was the reason PBAPP had recommended suspension of padi replanting and agricultural irrigation activities in Penang, and proposed to the federal and Kedah governments to stop irrigation activities in the southern parts of Kedah.

“We have requested the federal government to intensify cloud seeding in catchment areas as only rainfall could replenish the dam reserves,” he added.

“We have also urged the state and federal governments to educate the public to save and reduce water usage.”