PETALING JAYA: Two cloud seeding operations are being carried out during the Northeast Monsoon Dry Weather Phase for Johor on Wednesday (Feb 11) and Thursday (Feb 12), said the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma).
In a statement, the agency said another series is expected on Sunday (Feb 16), adding that the immediate action is a proactive step to address the declining of dam water levels in the state due to dry weather.
The operation in Johor focuses on three locations – the Upper Layang Dam, Pulai 1 Dam and Machap Dam.
“Nadma has coordinated the implementation of this operation from the Subang Air Base with the strategic cooperation of the Royal Malaysian Air Force and the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MET Malaysia) team,” the agency said.
The cloud seeding process involves spraying a salt solution (sodium chloride) into suitable clouds to encourage the formation of raindrops.
The agency said the success of the operation depends on atmospheric conditions and the presence of suitable clouds at the target location.
After the first series of operations on Wednesday (Feb 11), areas around the Upper Layang Dam experienced rain.
Apart from Johor, Perak and Kedah have also experienced a decrease in dam water used for agricultural irrigation, especially for rice cultivation and domestic use, due to continuous dry weather.
The operations on February 13 and 14 will focus on the Pedu Dam, Muda Dam and Ahning Dam for Kedah and the Bukit Merah Dam for Perak.
“The cloud seeding operation is expected to help increase the controlled distribution of rain in water catchment areas and high-risk locations while increasing the storage water level in dams.
“This is also to ensure the continuity and security of water supply to domestic, agricultural and industrial users without experiencing the risk of water supply disruption,” they said.
Nadma said it will continue to monitor current weather developments and work closely with all relevant agencies to ensure that preventive and mitigation actions are implemented in an integrated, fast and effective manner.
The public is advised to use water prudently and avoid wasting it as the country is facing hot and dry weather.
