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Malaysia: MADA alerts paddy farmers to use dry direct seeding method, limited water supply for 2017 season
MASRIWANIE MUHAMADING New Straits Times 26 Dec 16;
ALOR STAR: Muda Agricultural Development Authority (MADA) has urged paddy farmers in the Muda area to employ the dry direct seeding method for the upcoming season in January 2017.
MADA chairman Datuk Othman Aziz has said that the implementation of the method was necessary following the low water level in the state’s three reservoirs, namely, Muda, Pedu and Ahning.
Up till Dec 22, Othman said that the total amount of water in all three water reservoirs stood at 74,154.5 hectare metre or about 49.16 per cent.
Based on the current record, water supply in all three reservoirs is about 47.2 per cent less than the available supply in the same period last year, which was recorded at 140,455.2 hectare metre.
He said, as such, the current water supply available may not be able to meet the demands of paddy farmers in the upcoming season.
Othman said the low water level at the dams was due to the El Nino phenomenon which occurred earlier this year, affecting the rainfall pattern in the country.
“Looking at the situation, we believe that the amount of water in the reservoirs may not be able to meet the needs of the paddy farmers to proceed with the cultivation process for the 2017 season.
“Hence, paddy farmers are urged to prepare themselves to use the alternative method, dry direct seeding, which is more suitable during this time when water supply is limited,” said Othman during a press conference at the Grand Alora Hotel here today.
He added, since MADA was established in 1972, the Muda area has previously faced water shortage or dry season for five seasons in 1978, 1987, 1991, 1992 and 1993.
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Malaysia: Get ready for a wet, wet new year
RAHIMY RAHIM The Star 27 Dec 16;
PETALING JAYA: Downpours and intermittent showers around the country are expected to persist until the end of the year causing floods especially in the east coast states.
The Meteorological Department issued a heavy rain warning for Pahang, Terengganu and Kelantan with Maran, Bera, Rompin, Pekan, Kuantan and Jerantut in Pahang, and Terengganu likely to experience moderate intermittent showers until Wednesday during the mid north-east monsoon season.
“The heavy rain warning (Orange Stage) issued at 10.15pm on Dec 25 is still valid,” it said in a Facebook posting yesterday.
It said Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Putrajaya were set to experience isolated rain until the new year mostly in the afternoon and evening.
Terengganu was on high alert between Dec 13 and Dec 22 following an earlier forecast of heavy rains and high tides of up to 3.5m in Kemaman.
The first wave of floods in several states in the peninsula had receded, but the wet weather due to the North-East monsoon will persist for those living in the east coast.
Early this year, authorities were pre-occupied with the big clean-up following the big floods that swamped many states, especially in the east coast.
Torrential rain which lasted for days caused several main rivers such as Sungai Galas, Sungai Lebir, Sungai Nenggiri and Sungai Kelantan to burst their banks, submerging almost all of the state’s districts.
Statistics from the Kelantan National Security Council showed that over 170,000 families were relocated to 170 relief centres at the height of the floods.
Kuala Krai was among the worst hit districts with 16,734 families reportedly affected.
This year, the authorities are already on standby while flood simulation exercises have been carried out with the Fire and Rescue Department as part of preparation to face the rainy season.
Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Madius Tangau had said Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang and eastern Johor were expected to get more than 500mm of rainfall this month.
Heavy rain is expected over Kelantan beginning yesterday until Wednesday.
Johor and Sarawak (Kuching, Samarahan, Serian, Sri Aman, Betong, Sarikei, Sibu, Mukah and Bintulu divisions) can also expect heavy downpours from Wednesday until Friday.
Updates on the weather conditions are available on MetMalaysia’s website at www.met.gov.my, myCuaca mobile application, Facebook malaysiamet, Twitter @malaysianmet or MetMalaysia Hotline 1-300-22-1638.
Typhoon Nock-Ten detected off Kudat, Sabah
BERNAMA New Straits Times 26 Dec 16;
KUALA LUMPUR: Typhoon Nock-Ten has been detected 852-kilometres north east of Kudat, Sabah at 8pm tonight.
The Malaysian Meteorological Department, in a statement, said the typhoon was detected at a latitude of 14.4 North and latitude of 118.4 East, moving in a westerly direction at a speed of 25-kilometres an hour.
The department said strong northeast winds, measuring between 50 to 60 kmh, and waves as high as 4.5-metres, are expected to occur along Condore and Reef North waters until Saturday.
In addition, strong northeast winds at speeds of 40-50 kmh and waves as high as 3.5-metres are expected along waters in Samui, Tioman, Bunguran, Kuching, Reef South, Layang-Layang and Palawan until Saturday. Similar conditions are expected to occur in the waters of Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, eastern Johor and Sarawak up until Saturday. "The conditions are hazardous to small boats, recreational activities and water sports," said the department. --Bernama
Water level at dam normal despite non-stop rain
The Star 27 Dec 16;
CAMERON HIGHLANDS: The water level at the Sultan Abu Bakar Dam in Ringlet, Cameron Highlands is normal despite the non-stop rain.
Pahang Malaysian Civil Defence Force director Zainal Yusoff said the situation at the highlands was under control even though there were several incidents of landslides and flash floods reported on Saturday especially in Tanah Rata.
“So far, things are in order and water at the dam is at normal level too,” he said.
Non-stop rain on Saturday caused the water level at the dam to rise above 1,068.5m – higher than its normal level of 1,068.3m.
Residents in the surrounding areas at Bertam Valley would be evacuated if the dam’s water level exceeded 1,069.8m. — Bernama
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Malaysia: Terengganu on orange flood alert as major rivers rise
ZARINA ABDULLAH New Straits Times 26 Dec 16;
KUALA TERENGGANU: The state has issued an orange-level alert through its flood portal http://etindakan.terengganu.gov.my/ after heavy rains over the past three days raised the level of four major rivers here today. As at 8.40am, the portal said levels of major rivers in the state are higher than normal.
The rivers include Sungai Besut at Jambatan Keruak, which is at 30.16 metres, compared to its normal level of 28.50 metres, while the danger level is at 35m. In Setiu, Sungai Setiu at Jambatan Chalok, is at 7.63 metres compared to the normal level of 5m and the danger level of 9m. Sungai Nerus in Kampung Langkap is 3.83 metres higher than the normal level of 17 metres, while the danger level is 21.50 metres.
In Hulu Terengganu, Sungai Telemong at Kuala Ping is at 18.55 metres, compared to the normal level of 16.50 metres and the danger level of 19.70 metres. And Sungai Dungun in Kuala Jengai is at 19.73 metres, compared to the normal level of 14 metres and the danger level of 21 metres.
Terengganu flash floods see 63 evacuated
SHARANPAL SINGH RANDHAWA The Star 26 Dec 16;
KUALA TERENGGANU: A heavy downpour which hit parts of Kemaman in Terengganu has caused flash floods in some low-lying areas, forcing 63 people from 17 families to flee to three evacuation centres.
State Civil Defence Force director Lt Col Che Adam A Rahman said the three evacuation centres were opened on Monday morning.
These were SMK Badrul Alam Shah in Kemasik where 26 people had fled to, Kampung Padang Kemunting hall (16 people), and Kampung Batu 9 in Ibok, with 21 evacuees.
Che Adam said the rain, which had started at about 2am Monday, saw waters inundating houses in some low-lying areas.
“The heavy downpour in Hulu Terengganu also saw Jalan Felda Mengkawang-Tersat being closed to light vehicles.
“Our men are also on standby,” he said when contacted.
The Meteorological Department issued a Yellow alert in Terengganu, where rain is expected all the way up to Wednesday.
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Sydney to swelter under December heatwave
Channel NewsAsia 27 Dec 16;
SINGAPORE: A heatwave established in the Southeast region of Australia on Christmas eve is expected to continue to intensify for the rest of the year, affecting major cities such as Sydney and Canberra.
Data from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) on Tuesday morning (Dec 27) showed that severe heatwave conditions are expected to persist through parts of New South Wales, eastern Victoria and Tasmania for the next three days.
BOM classifies a heatwave as three or more days of high maximum and minimum temperatures that are unusual for a specific location.
The sizzling weather is predicted to affect New South Wales capital Sydney, where temperatures are forecast to hit a high of 37°C on Thursday, and stay in the 30s until New Year's Eve before easing to a maximum of 26°C at the start of the new year.
According to Australian media reports, bushfires will be a serious concern amid the hot conditions.
The Daily Telegraph, noting the heatwave in Sydney, reported on Tuesday that there were 28 fires burning across New South Wales.
BOM also released a warning on Tuesday morning noting "worsening fire weather conditions" due to the "warm to hot" weather in South Australia.
By Thursday, "extreme" heatwave conditions are forecast near the mid-North coast of New South Wales, with daytime temperatures reaching 40°C on Thursday and 41°C on Friday.
The most severe classification of heatwaves used by the BOM, extreme heatwaves are "rare and exceptionally intense", impacting normally reliable infrastructure such as power and transport and posing a risk for even healthy persons who do not take precautions to keep cool, according to the BOM website.
These conditions are expected to persist over Northeastern New South Wales and Southeast Queensland - a region including Brisbane - over the New Year weekend.
- CNA/mz
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