GEORGE TOWN – The effective capacity of Teluk Bahang Dam in Penang which rose 6.8 per cent by today, is still in need of cloud seeding operations.
Perbadanan Bekalan Air Pulau Pinang (PBAPP) chief executive officer Datuk Jaseni Maidinsa said even though the dam’s effective capacity increased from 16 per cent last month to 22.8 per cent today, it still requires cloud seeding exercises to fill the dam.
He added the increase was also due to the successful implementation of the Sungai Pinang raw water contingency project by PBAPP since Sept 10.
“As a result of this contingency plan, the Teluk Bahang Dam is now refilled with raw water from two water catchment areas in Teluk Bahang and Sungai Pinang,” he said in a statement here today.
Jaseni said the raw water from Sungai Pinang water catchment area (about 8.6 km away) was channelled to the dam via a 450 mm pipeline with an expected yield of 10 million litres per day (MLD).
“Nevertheless, PBAPP is very concerned with the very low effective capacity of the Teluk Bahang Dam,” he added.
He stressed PBAPP is targeting an effective capacity of 45 per cent by Dec 31 to prepare for the dry season that will start from January next year.
However, he said the situation is still in danger zone and requires more rainfall and cloud seeding operations to refill the dam.
“During a meeting with the Ministry of Environment and Water in Putrajaya on Sept 24, the Penang state government had sought the assistance of the ministry to liaise with MetMalaysia to expedite the remaining eight cloud seeding operations.
“These eight outstanding cloud seeding operations will primarily target the water catchment areas of the Teluk Bahang Dam. As such, these operations are critical operations that must be carried out before this Dec 31 to refill the dam with as much rainwater as possible.
Jaseni also urged the consumers in the supply areas of the Teluk Bahang Dam to conserve water and use it wisely.
— BERNAMA
