Cloud seeding to go on if need arises despite rain forecast

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MMD) will continue with cloud seeding operations if the need arises despite the forecast rain with the coming inter-monsoon season.

MMD atmospheric science and cloud seeding division director Azhar Ishak said the department would assess the need for cloud seeding during the inter-monsoon, as the dry spell over the last two months has caused the water level in dams to drop.

“If the forecast rain is not enough to fill the dams, we will continue with cloud seeding.

“We expect states in the West Coast area to receive normal rainfall of between 200 and 300mm during inter-monsoon. States in the East Coast would also receive rainfall but not as much as the West Coast,” he told The Star yesterday.

The inter-monsoon season, which is expected to begin end of this month, will last until the middle of May.

Azhar also said the recent rainfall in Klang Valley were a mix of natural rain and cloud seeding.

The department had carried out cloud seeding yesterday over water catchment areas in Selangor and Malacca.

“The natural rain is due to the eastern wind that came from the Western Pacific Ocean. This is the last phase (of rain) in the East Coast monsoon season before we make the transition into the inter-monsoon season,” he said.