TELUK INTAN, May 11 – The water level at the Bukit Merah Dam has risen above the critical level, says Perak Public Amenities, Infrastructure, Energy and Water Committee chairman Datuk Zainol Fadzi Paharudin. According to him, the level at the reservoir today was 7.04 metres, 0.15 metre higher compared to 6.88 metres which was at critical level one yesterday.

He said the increase in water level in the past few day was a relief to residents in Kerian, Kamunting, Taiping as well as industrial areas. Zainol Fadzi said the rise in the dam’s water level was due to rain at several observation stations in catchment areas, including 14th mile Sungai Kurau, Pondok Tanjung, Kampung Sempeneh as well as Bukit Merah yesterday.

In this regard, he said the Perak Government would be channeling minimal water supply to compartment G and H, starting this Sunday and involving 4,697 hectares of agriculture land in Selinsing and Gunung Semanggol to ease the effects of the El Nino phenomenon. The decision was made yesterday following the improving water level at the Bukit Merah Dam after several days of continuous rain.