PETALING JAYA: Cloud-seeding efforts in Kedah and Perlis have begun to show results, with rainfall recorded and water levels improving, says Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also chairman of the National Disaster Management Agency, said based on data from the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia), the operation, which commenced on Monday, recorded rainfall distribution in Perlis ranging from 29.8mm to 34.7mm between 7pm and 8pm on Monday.
“Kedah recorded between 9.3mm and 30.9mm during the same period, with confirmed precipitation of 13.5mm at Pedu, 6.0mm to 49.0mm at Muda, and 2.0mm to 4.0mm at Ahning.
“The rainfall then became more widespread, covering all targeted areas in Kedah and Perlis between 6pm and 8pm,” he told a press conference at Subang RMAF air base here yesterday.
The operation concentrates on 11 major dams that have been classified as being at alert, warning, and critical levels.
These dams are located in Perak, Kedah, and Perlis, as well as Johor, and the operation has been ongoing from Monday until today.
Four rounds of operations will be concentrated at Timah Tasoh dam (Perlis); Ahning, Pedu and Muda dams (Kedah); Temenggor and Bukit Merah dams (Perak); and Lebam, Upper Layang, Lower Layang, Gunung Pulai and Machap dams (Johor).
Ahmad Zahid said water mixed with salt was used in the cloud-seeding operations.
“The salt helps clouds form rain more quickly. Usually, rain can fall within 30 to 60 minutes after this process,” he added.
MetMalaysia director-general Dr Mohd Hisham Mohd Anip said the current hot and dry weather is expected to persist this month.
“The intermittent hot conditions are likely to continue up to June,” he added.
In a separate event in Kepala Batas, Ahmad Zahid said Malaysia aims to raise the halal industry’s contribution to at least 11% of its gross domestic product in exports by 2030.
He said as Malaysia is now recognised as one of the global leaders in the halal industry, expanding the industry would capture not only a larger market share but also create local job opportunities.
He said through the Halal Industry Master Plan 2030, the country has set clear targets to achieve RM70bil in export value and create about 700,000 high-skilled job opportunities.
“We also rank among the top in the Global Islamic Economy Index, thanks to our halal certification system recognised by over 50 countries worldwide.
“The global halal market is expected to reach about US$5 trillion (RM20.185 trillion) by then, while the domestic halal market is estimated at US$113.3bil (RM457.39bil),” he said during the groundbreaking ceremony for Phase Two of the Penang Regional Development Authority (Perda) Halal Park in Kubang Menerong, Tasik Gelugor yesterday.
