Cloud-seeding Ops In Perak A Success - Ahmad Zahid

KUALA LUMPUR, April 9 (Bernama) -- The cloud-seeding operations (OPAs) implemented in Perak yesterday have shown positive development, with rainfall recorded in several key water catchment areas in the state, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

He said that a significant amount of rainfall - between 29.3 millimetres (mm) and 84.8mm - was recorded in the Bukit Merah Dam and Temenggor Dam areas.

"This provides an early boost to the dams’ water levels, which were previously affected by dry weather,” he posted on his Facebook page today.

He said the success proved that the science-based approach and close monitoring by the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) and the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) have had a clear impact within a short period. 

Ahmad Zahid, who is also the National Disaster Management Committee chairman, said that operations would continue today in the southern parts of the peninsula, involving several main dams in Johor and Melaka.

He said the operations in the south would focus on the Machap Dam, Upper Layang Dam, Lower Layang Dam, Lebam Dam and Pulai Dam in Johor and the Durian Tunggal Dam and Jus Dam in Melaka.

"We will continue to monitor requirements from time to time and ensure every move taken has the best effect on water supply, the agriculture sector and the people's well-being.

"Let us all pray that these efforts will be facilitated by Allah SWT, and blessed with good results for all,” he added.

Earlier, MetMalaysia said the operations’ effectiveness was supported by high atmospheric moisture content and unstable atmospheric conditions, thereby boosting the development of rain clouds following the seeding process

The cloud seeding process at the Bukit Merah Dam and Temenggor Dam yesterday was conducted using RMAF C-130 Hercules aircraft, and the technique involved dispersing salt solutions into towering cumulus cloud formations at altitudes between 5,200 feet and 7,000 feet.

-- BERNAMA