The sudden drop in water level was caused by the damage to the Sungai Muda barrage gate, Syarikat Air Darul Aman Sdn Bhd (Sada), said in a statement.

Among the areas affected are Sungai Petani, Bedong, Pantai Merdeka, Kulim, Lunas, Kuala Ketil and several other major areas.

Earlier, FMT reported that residents in Penang had been advised to store water after Sungai Muda, which supplies water to 80% of Penang, experienced an “extreme drop” in water level.

The Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) said water levels were recorded below 1m at about 5am this morning at the Lahar Tiang intake.

In response, PBAPP is drawing its water kept in reserve at its Mengkuang Dam for use at the Sungai Dua water treatment plant.

Sada said the unscheduled water supply disruption in three districts in Kedah started at 7.25am today.

This 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 stabilised.

Sada said it would send water tankers to the affected areas, giving priority to critical premises such as hospitals, clinics, dialysis centres and funeral homes.

Sada said it would closely monitor the level of Sungai Muda together with the Lembaga Sumber Air Negeri Kedah (LSANK), the body responsible for regulating and supplying raw water resources to Sada.

In its statement, Sada did not indicate whether any repair works were being attempted on the faulty Sungai Muda barrage gate or how long these repairs would take.

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.