‘67% success rate after two-days of cloud seeding’

KOTA KINABALU: A cloud seeding operation in the state is seeing 67% success, with some rainfall reported in three targeted areas over the last two days.

Based on a report by the state Meteorological Department, the three-day cloud seeding operations, which started on Thursday, saw Lahad Datu receive 26mm of rainfall on the first day.

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Tawau, meanwhile, saw 27mm of rainfall on Thursday and 2mm yesterday.

As for drought-hit Papar, a rainfall of 4mm was recorded yesterday after an unsuccessful operation on the first day.

The cloud seeding operations were conducted from 11.15pm to 12.45pm on Thursday and from 11.05am to 1.05pm yesterday.

A third cloud seeding operation is scheduled for today.

The operations will be carried out by the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) in Papar, Lahad Datu and Tawau.

On Thursday, Nadma director-general Datuk Khairul Shahril Idrus said the operation was implemented to obtain sufficient water resources in the rain catchment.

Earlier this month, Papar declared a drought emergency, while the state government has delivered emergency water supplies to 58,080 households in 355 villages in 12 districts following the hot spell.

Sabah is also facing numerous fires, ranging from jungle, forest and bush fires.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said they hoped the cloud seeding operations would increase the water capacity at catchment areas.