KUALA LUMPUR: Cloud seeding operations have been requested by five states facing declining dam water levels, says the Malaysian Meteorological Department.
MetMalaysia director-general Dr Mohd Hisham Mohd Anip said to date, cloud seeding had been carried out in critical areas, particularly in northern and southern regions of the Peninsula.
He said the five states, namely Perlis, Kedah, Perak, Melaka and Johor, have submitted requests for cloud seeding following a drop in dam water levels in their respective areas.
"The applications were submitted by state governments through the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma), with MetMalaysia acting as the technical agency responsible for implementing the operation," he said on Wednesday (April 8).
Mohd Hisham said current weather conditions are favourable for cloud seeding as the country was in the monsoon transition phase starting March 29 and expected to continue until May.
He added this facilitates the formation of thunderstorm clouds in targeted (dam catchment) areas.
Mohd Hisham said that as of Tuesday (April 7), one area in the Peninsula recorded a Level 2 heat wave, with daily maximum temperatures exceeding 37°C to 40°C for at least three consecutive days.
"Eight other areas are at Level 1 (alert status), with daily maximum temperatures ranging from 35°C to 37°C for at least three consecutive days.
"MetMalaysia expects hot weather conditions to continue until June 2026," he said.
On April 1, Deputy Prime Minister and chairman of the Central Disaster Management Committee Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, said Nadma would carry out four series of cloud seeding operations in Perak, Kedah, Perlis and Johor, from April 6 to 9, as a proactive measure to increase water levels in dams affected by prolonged hot weather. – Bernama
