Malaysia: Kedah implements water rationing amidst protracted dry spell, heatwave

New Straits Times 17 Mar 19;

ALOR STAR: Declining water supply as a result of the ongoing nationwide heatwave has forced the Kedah government to implement water rationing in several areas in the state, Bernama reported.

Although no emergency has been declared, water supply restrictions have been applied in Merbok, Tanjung Dawai, Bedong, Semeling, Singkir and Gurun – areas worst affected by the months-long dry spell.

“(The level of) water rationing will depend on the severity of water (scarcity in each area). If need be, we will channel water to the affected areas.

“We will be monitoring the situation closely,” Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir said today.

He said that other measures to deal with the water shortage include the recent launch of the “Save Water” campaign, which encourages the public to use water prudently.

Mukhriz added that the state government is also in the midst of discussions with Syarikat Air Darul Aman (Sada); and the Water, Land and Natural Resources Ministry on the situation.


Water rationing starts in Kedah
The Star 18 Mar 19;

ALOR SETAR: Water rationing has been implemented in several areas of the state following low water supply due to the extreme hot weather in the past few months.

The areas are Merbok, Tanjung Dawai, Bedong, Semeling, Singkir and Gurun.

Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir said the rationing was only in places which were badly affected by the low supply.

“Water rationing depends on the severity of water supply disruption and if need be, we will channel water to the affected areas and monitor the situation closely.

“A Save Water campaign has also been launched to create greater awareness among the people.

“Consumers must use water prudently,” he said after attending the Kedah Regional Development Autho­rity bimonthly assembly here yesterday.

Mukhriz said the state would hold discussions with Syarikat Air Darul Aman and the Water, Land and Natural Resources Ministry to seek solutions to the matter. — Bernama


MetMalaysia: Level 2 heatwave alert in Pendang
Bernama New Straits Times 18 Mar 19;

KUALA LUMPUR: Nine Peninsular states are reported to be at Level 1 alert while Pendang in Kedah is at Level 2 (Heatwave) with temperatures between 37 to 40 degrees Celsius.

Based on a Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) update, as at 5.20pm yesterday, 21 areas are at Level 1 with temperatures between 35 and 37 degrees Celsius.

The areas listed are Chuping in Perlis; Kota Setar, Sik, Baling and Kulim (Kedah); Hulu Perak, Kuala Kangsar, Kinta and Batang Padang (Perak); Jerantut, Raub, Temerloh, Maran and Bentong (Pahang); Sepang and Petaling (Selangor).

Also listed are Port Dickson (Negri Sembilan), Melaka Tengah (Melaka), Tangkak in Johor and Kuala Lumpur.

The heatwave is expected to last for three consecutive days.

Meanwhile, Sabah and Sarawak recorded daily maximum temperatures of less than 35 degrees Celsius. - Bernama

Festive air at Sungai Golok as water dries up
Sharifah Mahsinah Abdullah New Straits Times 17 Mar 19;

RANTAU PANJANG: With the water level dropping to slightly below the waist at the deepest end of Sungai Golok, the river has become a playground among Kelantanese and Thai residents living on opposite sides of the banks.

No protocols are needed as the residents, mostly children, took to the shallow river which is showing signs of drying up further. They are enjoying themselves, as no passports are needed to have fun and frolic in the river.

With the crowd drawn to the river, hawkers on both sides of the divide took the opportunity to earn some money by selling snacks and drinks. For them, the unrelenting dry weather which is expected to end next month, is a blessing.

Checks by the New Straits Times along the river yesterday evening showed that both Malaysian and Thai traders have started opening stalls along both sides of the river selling snacks such as kerepok lekor, kerabu maggi, lok cing and ice-cream.

Trader Suhaili Harun said she opened a stall on the Kelantan-side of the river bank on Friday and business has been exceptionally good.

"I sell fried rice, fried mee and iced juices. The fried rice costs RM1 per bowl. The children love it because it is cheap. The business during the hot spell here is better than normal days,” said the 34-year-old mother of two children when met at the location.

"I and other traders from across Sungai Golok at the Thai-side open our stalls about 4pm when it is cooler and close about 7pm,” said Suhaili.

Visitor Adli Abdul Ghani said nearly 600 people came to swim and play in the shallow river and those with families had picnics.

"It looked like the 2016 `water festival' is being repeated at Sungai Golok," said the 54-year-old man from Jalan Sekolah Cina who came with his eight-year-old grandson Mohd Arif Hakim Mohd Khairul Azman.

"We will came again because I was told that this phenomenon will last until end of the month," said Adli, adding that the visit was his second so far.