Penang seeks Nadma's help for cloud seeding

GEORGE TOWN: The state government has written to the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma), seeking assistance for cloud seeding operations.

Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) chief executive officer K. Pathmanathan said Nadma's cooperation was needed to implement and facilitate cloud seeding operations as soon as possible.

"Due to climate change, low rainfall was recorded in the water catchment areas of Air Itam and Teluk Bahang Dams, and this has caused the water levels of the dams to drop significantly," said Pathmanathan in a statement on Thursday (April 13).

He said after a discussion on March 29, the state secretary's office had informed the operations implementation division of Nadma of the situation as the capacities of the two dams had been projected to drop further towards critical levels.

Pathmanathan said for now, there were no companies that could meet the criteria and conditions set by the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) to carry out the operations.

"We hope Nadma would prioritise Penang's request because cloud seeding operations were needed as soon as possible to induce rainfall to refill the dams," he said, adding that the state has allocated RM400,000 for the operations.