Aircraft on constant standby for cloud seeding

KUALA LUMPUR: An aircraft is on constant standby to initiate cloud seeding once suitable clouds emerge around water catchment areas, said Deputy Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Abu Bakar Mohamad Diah.

“We will continue with the cloud seeding and are ever ready to do it.The Charlie C130 aircraft has been loaded with four cubic metres of salt solution and is ready to take off anytime. Each cubic metre of water contains 150kg of salt in it,” he said after launching the Magic Zlate 11, a locally made Ultrabook performance mobile tablet at Courts Megastore in Bandar Sri Damansara yesterday.

Abu Bakar explained that the commencement of cloud seeding depended of the presence of towering cumulus clouds as this type of cloud formation held potential for substantial rain.

“We will carry out cloud seeding if the chance of rain is 80%. Otherwise, it would be a waste as each operation costs RM80,000,” said Abu Bakar, who added that the operation was being conducted together with the Royal Malaysian Air Force.

On the Magic Zlate 11, which is a notebook computer with detachable keyboard, Abu Bakar said it was the first of the 60 local research and development products to be commercialised this year under the Mosti Commercialisation Year 2014.

Abu Bakar said the global product was developed by a local company which received a RM145mil grant via the ministry’s Technofund programme. Courts Malaysia Sdn Bhd country chief executive officer Allard Sjol­lema said they were proud to host the launch and feature the local product in their stores.