GEORGE TOWN: Penangites have been urged to use water prudently after the Teluk Bahang dam recorded the worst water level ever in the state's history.
Water level capacity at the dam was at only 17.9 per cent today.
In a posting on his official Facebook page this evening, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the low water level capacity was a result of climate change with an unusually low rainfall in the past 12 months.
"The state government, through the Penang Water Supply Corporation, has put in place a contingency plan to ensure continuous water supply.
"This includes daily monitoring of water capacity at all dams in Penang and neighbouring Kedah.
"As such, the people should use water prudently."
Chow said efforts in saving water would help in preventing wastage and reduce shortage of water supply in the state.
In January, Penang was placed on high alert after recording the worst dam water levels ever in the state's history.
On Aug 5, Chow said that since rainfall had not been reported in the Teluk Bahang catchment area, which led to the water level to drop to 19 per cent, the state government decided to continue with eight cloud seeding exercises.
He said an allocation had been approved to carry out cloud seeding, but cautioned it would not guarantee rain would fall or fall in the right location.