KUCHING: Cloud seeding operations in Sarawak continued on Sunday (Sept 6) with a targeted focus on the Batang Ai hydroelectric dam reservoir in Sri Aman, where water levels have plummeted to a critical Emergency Level 3.
Sarawak Energy Vice-President for Hydro Jonny Wong Kwei Ji confirmed the severity of the depletion, noting that water levels at the 90 sq km reservoir continue to drop.
"It has reached Emergency Level 3," Wong said during pre-flight preparations at the Air Force base in Kuching. "It is imperative to have rain."
The operation follows a largely unsuccessful first attempt on Friday (Sept 4), according to Sarawak Meteorology Department Director Khairul Najib Ibrahim. Strong prevailing winds pushed most of the seeded cloud formations across the nearby border into Kalimantan, Indonesia, resulting in minimal rainfall over Batang Ai.
Initial seeding attempts over the Bakun and Murum hydroelectric dams yielded better rainfall, though levels at both locations remain categorised under Emergency Level 1.
While the state's hydroelectric reservoirs are primarily dedicated to power generation, they also support downstream river levels feeding regional water treatment plants. The Bengoh dam in Bau remains Sarawak's sole dedicated drinking water reservoir.
On Thursday (Sept 3), Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Douglas Uggah said the cloud seeding, which has now been extended to Monday (Sept 7), was to raise the water levels at the three dams and 13 catchment areas to prepare the state for an anticipated hot and drier October.
The seeding utilised the RMAF's C-130 transport aircraft.
