Northern Malaysia's brutal heatwave sparks water rationing and crop failures
Northern Malaysia is struggling under a severe heatwave, with temperatures soaring between 37°C and 40°C in Padang Terap. The extreme conditions have triggered water shortages, forcing residents to ration supplies and adjust their daily lives. Authorities are now warning of wider disruptions unless conservation measures improve.
The drought has hit Kedah and Perlis particularly hard, leaving key reservoirs dangerously low. Muda Dam sits at just 8.44% capacity, while Pedu and Ahning stand at 40.28% and 54.57% respectively, pushing overall storage to 39.63%. With irrigation severely limited, rice fields outside Mada areas are suffering, with some farmers reporting potential crop failures of up to 90%.
In Kampung Lubuk Tualang, Sik, families are cutting back on water use, altering routines to cope with shortages. Traditional practices are also under strain, as palm leaves used for making ketupat spoil faster in the intense heat. Meanwhile, public celebrations for Raya have been scaled back, with events moved indoors or postponed in past drought years. The heatwave has placed 14 areas across the peninsula on alert. Officials are urging households to reduce consumption, warning that further restrictions may follow if demand does not drop.
The prolonged heatwave continues to disrupt agriculture, water supplies, and cultural traditions across northern Malaysia. With reservoir levels critically low and crops at risk, authorities are stressing the need for immediate water conservation to avoid deeper shortages in the coming weeks.
