Accra:The water reserves at three Muda Agricultural Development Authority (MADA) dams have reached 40.13 percent capacity, prompting cloud seeding operations to enhance water inflow ahead of the upcoming padi planting season.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Pedu Dam's water reserves are currently at 40.82 percent, with the Muda and Ahning dams holding 25.92 percent and 45.38 percent, respectively. The prolonged hot and dry weather has significantly reduced rainfall in the Pedu Dam catchment area by nearly 30 percent from January to May, affecting water inflow and reducing dam reserve levels.
MADA has conducted five series of cloud seeding operations since February in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA), the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia), and the Kedah State Water Resources Board (LSANK). NADMA has agreed to carry out cloud seeding in the Muda and Pedu dam catchment areas from yesterday until Wednesday following a request made on September 15.
To optimize existing water resources, MADA is operating 117 recycling pumps to channel water from drainage systems and rivers, supporting the needs of padi planting. The agency is also managing water control structures and irrigation systems to enhance distribution efficiency to the padi fields.
MADA has advised farmers to utilize rainwater collected in their fields for the Season 1/2026 planting period, rather than relying on dam water releases for irrigation. Water releases are being managed prudently to meet domestic and industrial needs and to maintain canal water levels for strengthening riverbanks.
Continuous monitoring using telemetry systems is underway, particularly during the Monsoon Transition phase before the Northeast Monsoon begins, to observe reserve levels and catchment area conditions. Addressing concerns about adequate water supply for the upcoming planting season, MADA assured farmers of ongoing coordination with the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry and related agencies.
The Muda area, managed by MADA, is a critical national padi production zone, contributing nearly 40 percent of Malaysia's total padi output.