Scheduled water rationing will be carried out, especially in Kuala Pilah, Jempol, Gemas and Tampin if water levels in the state's dams continue to drop while there is insufficient rain within these two weeks.

Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said the measure would have to be taken as water levels in the state's dams were declining while there was no rain.

"The rainfall that we get this year is only 50 per cent of what we received last year.

"This has resulted in water levels in several dams to go down fast while some rivers like Sungai Ulu Muar in Kuala Pilah have dried up," he told reporters after chairing a state executive council meeting at Wisma Negeri, here, today.

Mohamad said the situation had resulted in 20 million gallons of water per day to be channelled from Talang Dam to the river as five water treatment plants were dependent on the river.

"I hope the people will understand and use water prudently. Don't waste water as the rivers are drying up and there is no rain, so we fear the dams will also dry up," he said.

For Seremban residents, be said, scheduled rationing would also be implemented if the water level in Triang Dam in Jelebu dropped fast.

In MELAKA, the state government will defer scheduled water rationing if the cloud seeding initiative carried out two days ago brings rain and raises the water levels in the state's main three dams.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron said the heavy rain yesterday indirectly prevented the water levels in the three dams from dropping much.

"The water levels in the dams remain but usually, they will drop by one to 1.5 per cent within 24 hours. Today, we see the water levels remaining stable.

"At Durian Tunggal Dam, the drop is only 0.5 per cent and it's a good sign. So if there is rain in the next three or four days, we don't need to do water rationing," he told reporters outside the state assembly sitting, today.

Idris said the water level in Durian Tunggal Dam today was recorded at 35.5 per cent, Jus Dam (43.7 per cent) and Asahan Dam (59.6 per cent).

He said the State Water Regulatory Body also informed that water levels in the three dams were expected to increase from time to time due to the inflow of water from the canals and other channels created by the state government as water traps.

He also advised the people in the state to use water prudently and to store water to prepare themselves early for any water rationing.

He said the Melaka State Mufti Department would hold solat hajat (prayers to achieve a wish) for rain and well-being of the state and people.

-- BERNAMA