Cloud seeding in Penang to fill drying dams

GEORGE TOWN: With the major dams in the state falling below the halfway mark, Penang has turned to the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) in Subang to undertake cloud seeding operations.

Aircraft will fly in from Selangor to induce rain in an attempt to replenish the Ayer Itam and Teluk Bahang dams at the end of this month, said the Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP).

Its chief executive officer K. Pathmanathan said the RMAF was roped in because there were no qualified private sector companies which can meet the criteria set by the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM).

He said the Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) had recommended that the first wave of operations be carried out between April 29 and May 5.

“The weather conditions should be ideal to maximise the impact of the cloud seeding operations. Heavy rainfall is required to refill these dams,” he said in a statement yesterday.

The effective capacities of the Ayer Itam and Teluk Bahang dams were at 44.8% and 48.6% yesterday, a significant drop from the 82.5% and 64% recorded on Jan 1.

Pathmanathan said the drop was due primarily to low rainfall in catchment areas and high water demand in Penang.

He said it would take a few days after the cloud seeding for the rain to fall.

“PBAPP might request for additional cloud seeding operations later,” he added.