August 7, 2020 3:40 PM
GEORGE TOWN: The unusually low water level at the Teluk Bahang dam means that water for its surrounding areas can only last about 60 days given the current dry weather, the Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBA) said.
With the water level dipping to 19.2%, PBA is channelling treated water through submarine pipes from Butterworth to meet demand.
The dam serves the Batu Ferringhi tourist belt, Tanjung Bungah and Teluk Bahang.
However, PBA’s chief operating officer Jaseni Maidinsa said the situation is under control at the Mengkuang dam in Bukit Mertajam and a water treatment plant in Sungai Dua, where there is enough water to cater to the entire state for the time being.
But he warned that if the dry weather continues, the situation might become worse, so the people must use water diligently.
Jaseni said total rainfall near the Teluk Bahang area had dropped by 40% to 4,466mm between Aug 1, 2019 and July 31 this year, compared to 6,411mm recorded in the same area the previous two years.
He said the dam, one of the largest in Penang, used to record an average capacity of 92.1% from 2017 to 2019.
He said the state government will carry out cloud seeding in the area and if the water level drops further, PBA will implement emergency measures.
