The Penang government has urged Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to intervene to save four million citizens in four states affected by an impending water crisis.

In a letter to Zahid, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the four states affected by the 'Super El Nino' phenomenan are Perlis, Kedah, Penang and Northern Perak.

"As the chairman of the National Water Resources Council (MSAN), please intervene to avoid a crisis that can cause burden and complications to the citizens and business community," Lim said.

"We cannot wait for the crisis to happen before we take the necessary steps.

"We suggest MSAN take the necessary steps when there is still a chance to avoid a water crisis," he said.

Lim suggested several steps from now until June by which the home minister could intervene to save the four million citizens.

His suggestions include halting water-related activities in all states, especially in southern Kedah.

"This will optimise the level of water in our dams until the rainy season comes," said Lim.

He said cloud seeding should be increased in the northern districts as the water levels in dams could only be restored if there was enough rain.

He warned that the water levels in the dams – which have decreased by 70 percent – was at a critical level as the dry season, worsened by the Super El Nino, has extended over three months.

Moreover, according to press reports, water at the Muda and Beris dams can only last for another 30 days, or up to the third week of May.

Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department has said that the Super El Nino will last up to June, Lim added.