Kuala lumpur: The Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) anticipates that the Teluk Bahang Dam will attain an effective capacity of between 80 and 90 percent prior to the commencement of the next dry season in January 2026.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, PBAPP's chief executive officer, Datuk K. Pathmanathan, stated that the dam's current effective capacity is at 84.2 percent, boosted by consistent rainfall over the catchment area, with a total of 989 millimetres recorded from September 1 until recently. More rainfall is expected this month, potentially improving the dam's capacity. The dam is presently well-positioned to satisfy the water supply needs of approximately 37,000 consumers, barring any unforeseen circumstances.

Pathmanathan further explained that the current water storage level is sufficient to support users in areas including Teluk Bahang, Batu Feringghi, Tanjung Bungah, Tanjung Tokong, and Mount Erskine during the anticipated dry season starting on January 1, 2026. He highlighted that the dam's effective capacity was at 61.7 percent on January 1 but decreased to its lowest level of 45.6 percent on April 10 this year, following 100 days of hot and dry conditions.

In addition to the Teluk Bahang Dam, Pathmanathan noted that the Air Itam Dam has reached a capacity of 98.1 percent, while the Expanded Mengkuang Dam recorded 90.8 percent capacity. At Sungai Muda, during the first week of November 2025, the water level ranged from 2.2 to 2.5 meters at the Muka Sauk Lahar Tiang, Seberang Perai Utara (SPU), exceeding the 'safe' level for optimal water abstraction set at 2.0 meters. PBAPP will continue to optimize raw water abstraction from Sungai Muda.