Johor turns to cloud seeding, water transfers as Machap Dam level falls

KLUANG: Johor has moved to shore up its water reserves after prolonged hot weather caused the level at Machap Dam to fall, with the state turning to cloud seeding and water transfers to keep taps running.

Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said the raw water situation remained under control, with the intake level at the Simpang Renggam Water Treatment Plant here still normal.

However, he said current projections showed the supply could last only until early November, depending on rainfall and raw water levels.

Onn Hafiz inspected Machap Dam yesterday as Johor prepared for the anticipated Super El Nino between October and December.

"Currently, the level at Machap Dam has fallen following the prolonged hot weather since early August.

"However, water supply remains under control, with the intake level at the treatment plant remaining normal," he said in a statement.

He said the state would closely monitor the situation while implementing several measures to bolster raw water availability.

These include cloud-seeding operations from Sept 21 to 24, targeting areas including the Machap Dam catchment.

Johor will also activate a raw water transfer system using pontoons from Kolam Yong and Machap Dam to Ulu Sungai Benut, providing an additional 25 to 30 million litres a day (MLD).

The state will also raise the water-gate level at the Simpang Renggam treatment plant intake to help maintain water levels.

The plant, which has a treatment capacity of 64 MLD, supplies Simpang Renggam, Machap, northern Pontian and parts of southern Batu Pahat.

Onn Hafiz said the measures were aimed at ensuring consumers continued to receive a stable supply despite the prolonged hot and dry conditions.

"I understand the concerns of the people amid the current weather conditions. The state government, together with all relevant agencies, will continue to monitor the situation and take all necessary measures to ensure the people's water needs remain a priority," he said, urging Johoreans to use water responsibly.

Johor has been monitoring all 17 dams in the state amid preparations for the anticipated dry spell, with authorities previously identifying water transfers and cloud seeding as key contingency measures.

The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has also warned that El Nino could bring hotter and drier conditions, potentially increasing the risk of water shortages, forest fires and haze.