GEORGE TOWN, July 19 — Despite the heavy rain in Teluk Bahang that caused a massive flash flood in three villages in the area, the dam level is recorded at 43.5 per cent which is considered very low for a rainy season.
Based on an observation throughout the month, the dam level was seen experiencing a steady drop.
Teluk Bahang assemblyman, Datuk Shah Headan Ayoob Hussain Shah said the heavy water flow was not channeled correctly, which is into the dam.
“There is so much water flowing until it caused flood in three villages, affecting more than 1000 people.
“If the drainange system is being done properly, and the Penang Water Corporation (PBA) has built a pipe connecting the river to the dam, the water level of the dam can be increased and the people would not have faced the flood,” he said.
Besides that, Shah Headan also said that the source of water flowing into the dam had been compromised by land activities on the hill.
A check on one of the hillsides in Teluk Bahang area, covering about 4.1 hectares, revealed it had been cleared for quarry activities.
Several rivers that provided water into the dam flowed through the hillside.
Previously during the rainy season, the water level in the dam is about 70 to 80 per cent full.
“We are now having only 43 per cent of water in the dam and it is the rainy season. Imagine if it is the hot and dry season, we are in grave danger,” he said.
He added that, if the issue was not being addressed properly, Penang would face water shortage in the near future. — Bernama
