The National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) will conduct cloud seeding operations from April 6 to 9 across four states as part of efforts to boost water levels in dams affected by prolonged hot and dry conditions.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the initiative is a proactive measure to address declining water reserves caused by the ongoing monsoon transition period, which began on March 29.
The operations will be carried out in Perak, Kedah, Perlis and Johor, targeting 11 dams including Timah Tasoh in Perlis and Temenggor in Perak.
He said temperatures in several areas are currently ranging between 35°C and 40°C, with the hot weather conditions failing to significantly improve dam water levels, thereby affecting water supply, agriculture and daily livelihoods.
Zahid, who chairs the Central Disaster Management Committee, said the cloud seeding exercise will be a joint effort involving the Royal Malaysian Air Force and the Malaysian Meteorological Department.
The Air Force will deploy C-130 Hercules aircraft for the mission, while MetMalaysia will oversee the technical and scientific coordination of the operations.
He also directed State Disaster Management Committees to activate their command centres to ensure all decisions are guided by accurate data and technical assessments.
These centres will monitor key information such as dam levels, raw water supply status and landslide-prone areas, while also identifying urgent needs in sectors like agriculture and public services.
Zahid added that emergency water supply via tanker trucks will be deployed to critical areas if necessary, as part of a broader medium-term strategy to manage the impact of dry weather.
He stressed that NADMA will also conduct a comprehensive assessment to develop long-term mitigation plans, while urging the public to use water wisely and comply with government advisories.
