JOHOR BARU - The hot spell in recent months has caused water levels in dams in the state to recede.

Although the situation is not critical, this is the first time in four years that the levels have dropped in many parts of the state.

State Drainage and Irrigation Department director Chong Chee Han, who urged people to conserve water, said the levels at the four dams managed by the department have been dropping since May.

The dams are at Bekok, Sembrong, Macap and Labong in Mersing. Syarikat Air Johor Holdings Sdn Bhd (SAJ) manages the three dams in Juaseh in Labis, Congok in Mersing and Lebam in Kota Tinggi.

Two other dams are managed by Singapore's Public Utilities Board and another private company in Masai.

Chong said the water level of the Sembrong dam was 7.74m now, compared with 9m in June. As for the Bekok dam, the level was 14m in early May but 10.41m now.

"We have not had this problem since the severe drought in 2005," he said, adding that more rain was expected this month.

SAJ corporate communications head Jamaluddin Jamil said the Sembrong dam's level had dipped the most among the dams managed by the concessionaire.

The company had contingency plans in case the situation worsened. For more information, contact 1800-88-7474 or SMS to 019-772 7474 or email to customer.care@saj.com.my.

-The Star/Asia News Network