Kada chairman Muhammad Hussin said the water pump station in Kemubu has been unable to operate as its water level stood at 2.48 metres when it needs to be at least 3.5 metres, Bernama reported.

This has led to the yield in more than half of the 9,100ha of padi fields in Kelantan – specifically 5,000ha – becoming cracked, he said.

“Most affected are the farmers in the northern and southern parts of Kota Bharu who depend on the Kemubu pump station.

“In these areas, the padi cannot be saved,” he added.

To help the farmers, Muhammad said Kada is building tube wells at a cost of RM500,000, with the funds coming from the agriculture and food security ministry.

However, he said the process of constructing these wells had been quite difficult as some areas do not have any water sources.

“Kada also lacks the workers to construct these tube wells. We have  asked for help from operators in Terengganu,” he said.

Muhammad said padi fields in the state would benefit once the third Kemubu water pump station is completed in June next year.