Johor mulls cloud seeding

Water level at the Machap dam is at a critical level.

KLUANG: Johor is looking into carrying out cloud seeding to improve water levels at dams in the state, especially at Machap dam which is at a critical level if the current hot and dry conditions continue for longer.

Johor International Trade, Investment and Utility Committee chairman Jimmy Puah Wee Tse said the water level at Machap dam was at now 14.45mm. Its minimum level is 14.10mm.

“The water at Machap dam here flows to the Simpang Renggam water treatment plant, which is about 8.5km away, and to Sungai Ulu Benut and Sungai Machap.

“The two rivers were recently affected by ammonia pollution,” he said after a working visit to Machap dam here.

He said the main reason for the drop in water levels at the dam were due to the current dry spell.

The Bukit Batu assemblymen said the heatwave was affecting the whole country and that the situation in Johor was not as bad as in other parts.

“If the situation does not improve soon, the Machap dam can only supply water for about two months.

“I had a meeting with the Meteorological Department and was told that Johor would soon experience the inter-monsoon season, with heavy rainfall expected to hit the state,” he said.

“We are looking at doing cloud seeding but the approach would be adopted only after considering the suitability of the location and the costs involved

The last time Johor carried out cloud seeding was in 2014, where it is learnt that the cost for cloud seeding is between RM500,000 and RM600,000 per 10 flights.