PENANG is once again enduring a water - stress situation, this coming for the third consecutive year, as the neighbouring Sungai Muda's water reserves level reached a critical low point yesterday.
This comes as the northern region faces record humidity levels, complicated by a drought despite intermittent rainfalls over the last two days.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow disclosed that the state has directed the Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) to engage the relevant authorities in Kedah to raise urgent concerns over the water level at Sungai Muda.
"It has reached a critical threshold," Chow told a press conference.
Chow said that the immediate solution proposed is the controlled release of water from Beris Dam in Kedah to alleviate the situation for the entire northern region.
“This matter has already been communicated to the relevant authorities in Kedah. At the same time, we will continue with the drawdown from Mengkuang Dam to the Sungai Dua Water Treatment Plant,” the Batu Kawan Member of Parliament said.
Asked whether the state had applied to the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) for cloud seeding operations, Chow said no such request has been made.
“Even if it is considered, it would be more suitable to carry it out in upstream areas,” he added.
Earlier, PBAPP chief executive officer Datuk K. Pathmanathan said they have activated the Sungai Muda Contingency Plan and released about 300 million litres per day (MLD) from the Expanded Mengkuang Dam (EMD) to sustain operations at the Sungai Dua main intake and treatment plant in Butterworth.
The Sungai Dua plant, Penang’s largest and most critical facility, produces an average of 1,100 MLD of treated water and supplies about 465,000 consumers across all five districts in the state.
Pathmanathan said the swift activation of the contingency plan had so far prevented supply disruptions in Seberang Perai Utara, Seberang Perai Tengah, Seberang Perai Selatan, as well as the northeast and southwest districts on the island.
He attributed the sudden drop in river levels to upstream irrigation withdrawals in Kedah, adding that PBAPP had not been informed in advance.
Pathmanathan also urged the National Water Services Commission and the Energy and Natural Resources Ministry to intervene in managing the Sungai Muda system.
“The security of water supply for Penang and Kedah must take precedence over irrigation needs under current conditions,” he said. - April 25, 2026.
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