GEORGE TOWN, July 27 – Abnormally low rainfall has caused water supply issues affecting about 7,400 consumers on Penang Island. The Penang Waterfall and Sungai Pinang Water Treatment Plants (WTPs) have seen significant drops in water output due to low rainfall in their catchment areas, with the Penang Waterfall WTP’s output decreasing by 42.9% and the Sungai Pinang WTP by 33.33%. As a result, neighborhoods including George Town, Air Itam, Tanjung Bungah, and Bayan Lepas are experiencing water shortages.
To mitigate the impact, PBAPP has activated Phase 1 of its Crisis Management Plan, which includes optimizing water production at the Batu Ferringhi and Guillemard WTPs, increasing production at the Air Itam WTP, and deploying water tankers to affected areas. The agency is also working with Badan Kawal Selia Air (BKSA) to manage irrigation water abstractions and requesting cloud seeding operations from the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) and the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF). These measures aim to sustain water supply until the expected rains in September.
