31/03/2026

LYFE TUESDAY | MAR 31, 2026 6 Heat wave yields higher quality mangoes

Long drought turning river water green

KOTA BHARU: River water turning green and falling water levels in several rivers in Kelantan are due to prolonged dry weather and ecosystem stress, and not an indication that the rivers are getting cleaner. Universiti Malaysia Kelantan Earth Sciences Faculty Climate, Water and Environmental Resilience Research Group head Assoc Prof Dr Mohamad Faiz Mohd Amin said the situations are interrelated due to the lack of rain. He explained that during the rainy season, Sungai Kelantan usually carries a high load of suspended sediment due to erosion, causing the water to be murky and brown. However, he noted that the reduction in the amount of rainfall slows down the flow of water and reduces the rate of erosion, causing the quantity of suspended sediment entering the river to decrease significantly. “This change is often misinterpreted as an improvement in water quality. In fact, it is just a physical change. “When the water becomes clearer, sunlight penetrates deeper and highlights the natural colours of the aquatic system, including the presence of phytoplankton or algae to a certain extent,” he explained. Mohamad Faiz said flowing rivers such as the Sungai Kelantan are not prone to large-scale algal blooms. “This green colour is more likely to be linked to a reduction in sediment than the presence of algae as the main cause.” Commenting on the decline in the water level of Sungai Golok to 3.26m, well below the normal level of five metres, he said the situation reduces the river’s ability to dilute pollutants. According to him, when the volume of water decreases, substances such as nutrients from agricultural waste or waste discharges will become more concentrated while the water temperature will increase. “This situation could affect water quality and put pressure on aquatic life. The impact could extend to threats to raw water supplies and daily drinking water for residents.” He stressed that the situation in Kelantan is an early indicator of a water security crisis driven by climate change, given the increasingly erratic rainfall patterns and longer drought periods. “Rivers that look more ‘beautiful’ today may be losing their natural ability to support life. “The approach to water resource management needs to change to a more adaptive, data-based and responsive system to climate change.” – Bernama

ALOR SETAR: The hot weather phenomenon that is hitting Kedah is a boon to Harumanis mango farmers as it is one of the main factors in the production of sweeter and higher quality fruit this season. State Agriculture, Plantation and Transport Committee chairman Dzowahir Ab Ghani said Kedah is one of the most suitable areas for planting Harumanis because the hot weather helps yield sweeter fruit. “The sweetness of this Harumanis fruit from Kedah, Harumanis D’Aman, has been recognised by many. That is why the demand outstrips supply. Currently, there are only 150,000 Harumanis trees, which is why we are aiming to plant 100,000 trees a year. “If this plan is successful, within five years we will be able to plant 500,000 Harumanis trees. When the fruit yield increases, we could meet demand from international and domestic markets,” he told reporters at the Fiesta Mempelam Harumanis D’Aman Kedah press conference here yesterday. He said the public is invited to attend the festival, which will be held from April 30 to May 3 in Tok Keling, Alor Setar, during which visitors can learn and get information related to Harumanis plants from entrepreneurs and the Agriculture Department. Harumanis D’Aman entrepreneur Datuk Mohd Yusof Ismail said he welcomes the state government’s efforts to increase Harumanis plants in Kedah because currently the supply of the fruit is not sufficient to be marketed abroad. “Right now in Kedah there are only 150,000 trees. It cannot meet the market, which is why the price can reach RM50 per kg and above due to high demand. This year, thankfully, the fruit is ripe because in the early stages of flowering the weather was beautiful, with temperatures between 35°C and 36°C, but it is not enough.” o Entrepreneur welcomes govt efforts to increase Harumanis plants to meet local, global demand

Dzowahir Ab Ghani said Kedah is one of the most suitable areas for planting Harumanis because the hot weather helps produce sweeter fruit. – MASRY CHE ANI/THESUN

rice farmers get water supply for their rice crops. Many areas have cracked due to lack of water, but this matter is beyond our control. “That is why the state government took the initiative to dig tube wells. We are also asking the federal government to thoroughly study and find ways to deal with the continued hot weather in the future.”

When asked if this hot weather is affecting other crops in Kedah, Dzowahir said the temperatures, which can reach up to 40°C, are clearly affecting the rice crop, and many complaints have been received from rice farmers, Bernama reported. “We are studying and looking at suitable areas to build tube wells. We want to ensure