Chow said the current water levels at both dams were a result of “strategic adjustments” to maintain the water level at the Air Itam dam.

“We are drawing more water from the Teluk Bahang dam, while simultaneously releasing excess water from the Sungai Dua water treatment plant to ensure the water level at the Air Itam dam does not drop below 32%.

“For now, we are maintaining the water level at the Air Itam dam and have synchronised operations at both dams,” he told reporters after launching an electric cross-border truck service from Malaysia to Singapore.

Today, the water levels at the Air Itam and Teluk Bahang dams were at 55.7% and 36.8%, respectively, according to the Penang Water Supply Corporation.

Chow said despite recent rainfall on the island, a significant volume of water was being extracted from the Teluk Bahang dam for treatment, a process he described as a challenge. He did not elaborate further.

On Tuesday, the national disaster management agency (Nadma), citing data from the national water services commission, said the Air Itam and Teluk Bahang dams had reached alert levels.

In a statement, Nadma also noted that raw water reserves at a reservoir in Kedah and another in Perak were at critical levels, while five other reservoirs – including Air Itam and Teluk Bahang – were at alert level.

Water levels are categorised as follows: less than 30% is critical, 30%-59.99% is alert, and 60% or more is normal.