Water shortage threatens food security in Malaysia

The heat wave that has scorched Asia over the past few weeks has hit Malaysia hard, with a water shortage threatening national food security and hurting key industries.

Experts said the falling water reserves in the northern part of Peninsular Malaysia have shown the "broader impact" of climate change.

Malaysia's National Disaster Management Agency said that as of Aug 5, raw water reserves at the Muda Dam in Kedah, the Bukit Merah Dam in Perak and the Teluk Bahang Dam in Penang have dropped to a "dangerous level" of 7.44 percent, 16.43 percent and 28.20 percent, respectively.