The dry spell which has caused low water levels in several dams nationwide is expected to be under control, with wet weather expected by the weekend.

Malaysian Meteorological Department (Weather and Climate) deputy director-general Alui Bahari said rainfall has begun to increase because it is forecast to rain often, but the dry spell was still around following weather changes resulting in hurricane winds causing dry weather.

“August will still have dry weather, but by September it will be wet because the monsoon season is about to begin,” he said when contacted by Bernama today.

He said despite the expected increase in rainfall, cloud seeding will continue to increase the percentage of raw water supply in catchment areas.

Commenting on the El Nino phenomenon expected to hit Malaysia by year-end, Alui Bahari said the latest data showed weaker signs.

“Signs of El Nino are only at 50 percent now because of increased rainfall, and if El Nino was to happen it would only be weak,” he added.

Meanwhile, Association of Water and Energy Research Malaysia (Awer) president S Piarapakaran said despite more rain, water rationing should still be done because the water levels in Selangor dams were still low.

“The water level of Sungai Selangor was recorded at 39.1 percent today... the safe water level according to the Selangor Water Management Authority (Luas) is 55 percent,” he said when contacted by Bernama today.

“There is still a risk of insufficient rainfall and the water level in Sungai Selangor needs to increase to a safe level to avoid a worse water crisis,” he added.

- Bernama