OVER 13,000 HECTARES OF PADI FIELDS IN PERAK AFFECTED BY HOT WEATHER

IPOH, March 29 (Bernama) -- Padi fields in the Seberang Perak Irrigation Scheme and Sungai Manik Irrigation Scheme located in the Perak Tengah and Hilir Perak districts have been affected by the hot weather phenomenon.

It is understood that the padi fields covering an area of ​​13,356 hectares are facing water supply problems due to the hot and dry weather and the lack of rain recently, which has affected padi growth.

The Perak Menteri Besar's Special Officer in the Kampung Gajah state constituency, Khairul Azwan Harun said his party would submit the issue to the responsible party to find the best solution to ease the burden of about 5,561 padi farmers and ensure that padi yields continue to be guaranteed.

"I inspected the area yesterday and it is very serious because it affects the padi industry in the Seberang Perak Integrated Agricultural Development Area (IADA) which is one of the country's main padi granaries," he said when contacted by Bernama today.

He said his party had also requested assistance from the Perak Irrigation and Drainage Department (JPS) to add water pumps to provide a more stable water supply to the padi fields.

Khairul Azwan said his party had also requested the government to bear the cost of purchasing diesel for water pumps because it was found that rice farmers had to bear the cost of diesel for water pumps provided by IADA and JPS.

"In addition, I also want to invite padi farmers and the people to perform prayers and pray to Allah to ask for abundant rain as one of the efforts," he said.

Earlier, Khairul Azwan uploaded his survey of the affected padi fields in question via his Facebook page.

Two days ago, the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) announced that the entire state of Perlis, four districts in Kedah and one district in Perak had recorded a Level 2 heat wave, while 13 other areas in Peninsular Malaysia were at Level 1, which is on alert.

According to MetMalaysia, Level 2 is declared when the daily maximum temperature exceeds between 37 and 40 degrees Celsius for at least three consecutive days, while Level 1 refers to the daily maximum temperature between 35 and 37 degrees Celsius during the same period.

-- BERNAMA