MetMalaysia: Increased Requests See Cloud Seeding Operation Extended To Multiple States

By Nazira Hasanah Nasaruddin

KUALA LUMPUR, April 8 (Bernama) -- The implementation of the cloud seeding operation (OPA) is being extended to several states following increased requests from states facing declining dam water levels, said Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) director-general Dr Mohd Hisham Mohd Anip.

He said that to date, the OPA has been carried out in areas identified as critical, particularly in states located in the northern and southern regions of the peninsula.

Mohd Hisham said that five states, namely Perlis, Kedah, Perak, Melaka, and Johor, have submitted requests for the operation following a drop in dam water levels in their respective areas.

“The application was submitted by the state governments through the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA), with MetMalaysia acting as the technical agency responsible for implementing the operation,” he told Bernama here today.

Mohd Hisham said that the current weather conditions were seen as favourable for the implementation of the cloud seeding operation, given that the country was in the monsoon transition phase, which had started on March 29.

According to him, the phase could facilitate the formation of thunderstorm clouds, helping the cloud seeding operation produce rainfall in targeted areas to increase dam water levels, with the phase expected to continue until May.

Mohd Hisham said that as of yesterday, one area in the peninsula had recorded a Level 2 heat wave, with daily maximum temperatures exceeding 37 to 40 degrees Celsius for at least three consecutive days.

“Eight other areas are at Level 1 (Alert Status), with daily maximum temperatures ranging from 35 to 37 degrees Celsius for at least three consecutive days. MetMalaysia expects this hot weather condition to continue until June 2026,” he said.

Meanwhile, a Bernama check found that a Facebook user, Mohd Nizam Zam, expressed gratitude, saying that the heavy rainfall in parts of Alor Setar had made the morning weather feel considerably cooler.

Another Facebook user, Kasih Miera, shared that the northern area of Perak had experienced heavy rain the previous night.

Another user, Airaamsyar, expressed appreciation for the cloud seeding efforts, stating that rainfall had occurred in most areas and expressing hope that the initiative would continue to help the people.

On April 1, Deputy Prime Minister and chairman of the Central Disaster Management Committee (JPBP), Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, said that 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.

He said that the operations were being implemented following the hot weather phenomenon, which had affected several areas due to the monsoon transition that began on March 29 and was expected to continue until May.

--BERNAMA