The water level at Timah Tasoh Dam, Perlis’s sole reservoir, has remained at a critical threshold since early this year, but state Mentri Besar Abu Bakar Hamzah emphasized that there is currently no reason for public alarm. Speaking in Kangar, Abu Bakar confirmed that the dam still holds enough water to meet the domestic and agricultural demands of the state’s population.
On Tuesday, intermittent rainfall raised the dam’s water level to 26.5 meters, equating to approximately 33.13 percent of its total storage capacity—identified as the critical level mark. Despite this, the Mentri Besar reassured residents that the situation remains under control.
Abu Bakar also noted the challenges posed by a forecasted dry super El Niño event expected to begin in November. He said the state government is continuously monitoring the reservoir’s condition and would consider measures such as cloud seeding should the water levels continue to decline. Assistance from the federal government would be sought if necessary to address any worsening conditions.
To conserve the available water, authorities have prioritized careful resource management and urged residents to minimize water wastage. The Mentri Besar stressed that, as of now, emergency water restrictions have not been implemented.
Earlier this month, officials from the National Water Services Commission (SPAN) conducted an inspection of Timah Tasoh Dam. SPAN reported that current storage levels could sustain around 26,000 consumer accounts for approximately 50 days without additional rainfall. The agency is coordinating with relevant bodies to carry out mitigation efforts aimed at conserving raw water supplies.
Should the reservoir’s conditions deteriorate further, SPAN indicated that scheduled water rationing may become necessary to extend the remaining reserves.
Constructed in 1992, the Timah Tasoh Dam impounds water from Sungai Korok, situated about 17 kilometers north of Kangar. At its normal pool level, the dam encompasses a lake surface of roughly 1,300 hectares.