Heat wave: SPAN advices state governments to closely monitor water levels at dams

The National Water Services Commission (SPAN) had advised state governments to closely monitor the water level at dams and rivers in view of the dry spell that is expected to last up to the end of March.

SPAN chairman Datuk Ismail Kasim said the state governments, through the respective water service operators, held the responsibility of ensuring adequate water for the people in the states.

"Besides the water in the dams and rivers, the state governments are also advised to consider alternative sources of water, such as underground water and retention ponds, as a supplement.

"They are also advised to study the possibility of cloud-seeding with the assistance of the Meteorological Services Department," he said in a statement yesterday.

Ismail said the Selangor government's initiative to have retention ponds around Bestari Jaya to pump water to the Selangor river when the water level dropped was exemplary.

He reminded consumers to use water prudently and without wastage.

The Meteorological Services Department has forecast less rainfall for the northern areas of the peninsula's west coast up to the end of March, resulting in hot and dry weather.