The water level at the only dam in Perlis, the Timah Tasoh Lake in Beseri, has receded to near-minimum level. The level was recorded at 26.81m yesterday, 1.51m above the dam’s minimum level of 25.30m, according to a news report.

The dam does, however, have a water reserve pond which was still at 40 per cent capacity, the report said.

Residents are worried that the water supply might dwindle and force water rationing, but remain hopeful.

Muhamad Shahbuddin Aminuddin, 24, a general worker at Timah Tasoh Lake Resort, told Malay Mail Online that Perlis had never faced water rationing before.

“Our usual daily temperature is about 36°C, but it’s hotter than usual now because of the harsh weather,” he said. “We have seen the dam dry up before. It is still OK for now and we are hoping things do not get worse,” he was quoted as saying.

His colleague, Mohd Hariz Adam, 27, who lives in Chuping, said the water supply has never been a problem for them, and even if the current weather does result in a disruption, he hopes it is only temporary.

“There were a few times where the water supply was disrupted because the dam’s level dropped to a critical level, but there was rainfall and the dam’s water levels managed to rise,” he was reported as saying.

The waterfall at Bukit Ayer Recreational Forest was almost completely dried up, while the river in Gua Kelam has become shallow.

Siti Salehah Azhar, 35, from Kuantan, Pahang, said she came to Gua Kelam with her family to take a dip in the river but was shocked that the river had almost dried up.

“The water was shallow and stagnant. Not ideal to swim in,” she said.

Bukit Ayer Recreational Forest was reportedly almost deserted despite the school holidays. Suraya Ahmad, 28, from Kangar, said there were hardly any visitors lately because the water had receded.

“People come here to swim but there is hardly any water now due to dry spell,” she said.

The hot season is expected to continue till June.