SHAH ALAM, March 26 — The ongoing hot weather has caused water levels in the main canals of the Northwest Selangor Integrated Agricultural Development Area's (IADA) paddy irrigation system to show a declining trend since February.
Its director Mario Valeriano said the situation is due to reduced rainfall in the areas around Sabak Bernam and Kuala Selangor.
The prolonged dry conditions have affected the stability of water supply, from the source right down to individual paddy plots.
“The continued hot season affects the stability of water supply from the source to the field level, resulting in disruptions to the irrigation system where primary, secondary, and tertiary canals are unable to receive sufficient water flow,” he told Media Selangor.
Mario added that short-term measures include monitoring hotspot areas and promptly reporting dry or critical zones to enable the deployment of mobile pump operations.
“Among the short-term solutions are monitoring hotspot areas and reporting dry or critical locations requiring mobile pump operations, so that the matter can be immediately escalated to the District Irrigation and Drainage Department for further action,” he said.
Field officers also play a role in monitoring water usage to prevent wastage, including involving block leaders in managing irrigation water.
Meanwhile, the implementation of the 2025 Agricultural Water Resource Management programme is being carried out to reassess the effectiveness of the irrigation system, as well as infrastructure repair works including the replacement of damaged flumes.
Concerning the impact on crops, Mario said prolonged hot weather could affect paddy growth, especially at four critical stages: tillering, panicle initiation, flowering, and grain filling.
“The implication of disrupted pollination is a reduction in paddy yield of up to 30 per cent, in addition to affecting the quality of the rice produced,” he said.
Mario noted that paddy cultivation in the Sawah Sempadan area is currently in the grain-filling stage, with some areas nearing harvest (maturity), while in Sekinchan and Sungai Leman, the crops are in the flowering and grain-filling stages.
In Pasir Panjang, Sungai Nipah, and Sungai Haji Dorani, the crops are in the tillering and panicle initiation stages, while in Panchang Bedena, Bagan Terap, and Sungai Panjang, land preparation is underway with planting set to begin by Wednesday (April 1).
Meanwhile, the state executive councillor for rural development, unity, and consumers' affairs Datuk Rizam Ismail said his office will continue to monitor the situation and relay information to the state executive councillor for infrastructure and agriculture Dato' Izham Hashim if conditions become critical.
“Currently, the festive season and the slightly hotter weather are indeed affecting agriculture. Drains are drying up and water flow is being disrupted.
“However, we will monitor the situation from time to time and inform the relevant councillor if necessary,” he said.
