THE Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) remains committed to executing the Hari Raya Aidilfitri 2024 Water Contingency Plan until the capacity of the Air Itam Dam shows significant improvement.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow emphasised the corporation’s dedication to maintaining the current strategy until the dam reaches a minimum capacity of 32%.
“The current water level at Air Itam Dam stands at 30.8%, primarily attributed to increased water consumption during the past seven days of the Hari Raya Aidilfitri festive period.
“I have maintained constant communication with PBAPP regarding the dam’s water level, and together we have agreed to adhere to the contingency plan until a noticeable improvement in water capacity is observed,” he replied to a journalist.
Chow expressed optimism that the water level at the dam could see improvement with rainfall in the catchment area. However, he noted that rainfall in this region is beyond the authorities’ control, despite their efforts through multiple cloud seeding operations.
“So far this month, Penang has received only 22.5mm of rainfall, significantly below the average monthly rainfall of 300mm,” he said, citing a huge difference in the rainfall quantity.
Chow highlighted that with the current capacity of 30.8%, the Air Itam Dam could sustain water supply for approximately 30 days.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Siew Chia En
Video by Alissala Thian