Parched: Mohd Razif (centre) listens to Mohd Ridzuan’s plight at one of the latter’s padi fields at Kampung Simpangan in Tumpat, Kelantan. — Bernama
TUMPAT: Two high-capacity water pumps have been installed in the 424ha rice cultivation area in Kampung Simpangan and Kampung Tualang here to ensure adequate water supply during the expected dry spell.
The initiative was undertaken by the Kemubu Agricultural Development Authority (Kada).
Its deputy general manager (development) Mohd Razif Abdullah said the effort was to prevent rice farmers from continuing to suffer losses if their crops were damaged due to drought.
“A total of 14 padi farmers here suffered huge losses last season due to the lack of water sources to be channelled to the fields, causing the padi plants to be badly damaged.
“Kada, in collaboration with the Irrigation and Drainage Department, took the responsibility of providing two pumps to siphon water from Sungai Raut, located about 4km from the fields. This is in preparation for the planting season in June,” he told Bernama after surveying the fields here yesterday.
He said the two pumps could irrigate about 300ha of padi fields.
Farmer Che Amat Che Hasan, 66, said the pumps were expected to solve the problems faced by farmers, who had to bear losses of more than RM20,000 aside from other agricultural debts.
Another farmer, Mohd Ridzuan Che Lah, 51, who cultivates about 80ha in Kampung Simpangan, said he did not expect to suffer such losses as he had been cultivating for more than 30 years.
Previously, Kada general manager Mohd Faizul Mustafa said 7,800ha out of the 26,833ha of padi crops under Kada were affected by the drought in Pasir Puteh, Bachok, Pasir Mas, Tumpat and Kota Baru this year.
In Alor Setar, there was an unscheduled water supply disruption due to the sudden drop in the water level due to a damage of the Sungai Muda barrage gate.
A total of 252,000 consumer accounts in Kuala Muda, Kulim and parts of Baling were affected by the disruption.
Syarikat Air Darul Aman Sdn Bhd (Sada), in a statement, said the water supply disruption in the three districts started at 7.25am yesterday.
It said the incident resulted in the operation of the Sungai Petani/Pinang Tunggal water treatment plant (LRA) and the Kulim Hi-Tech LRA being temporarily suspended until the river level stabilises.
Following the suspension, a total of 252,000 users have been affected, including Sungai Petani, Bedong, Pantai Merdeka, Kulim, Lunas, Kuala Ketil and several other areas.
It also said it would mobilise water tankers to the affected area with priority to critical premises such as hospitals, clinics, dialysis centres and funeral homes throughout the disruption period.
Operation rooms have been activated and users can channel complaints or inquiries via the Sada head office at 04-740 8976; Central Kedah Region (04-421 6798); Southern Region (04-484 6770) and the Sada Information Centre (SIC) at 1300-88-0017.
Information on water supply disruptions will be communicated from time to time through Sada’s official Facebook and TikTok accounts and on its website www.sada.com.my.
