The Sarawak Government is planning a cloud seeding operation to increase the potential for rainfall over critical dams and water catchment areas as the state continues to experience prolonged hot and dry weather.
Sarawak Deputy Premier and State Disaster Management Committee (JPBNS) chairman Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said the measure was important to help safeguard the state’s water supply, particularly in areas where water availability and dam levels are considered critical.
He said JPBNS and relevant agencies were also intensifying monitoring of weather conditions, air pollution levels, hotspots, forest and peatland fires, as well as the status of water resources throughout the state.
“Prolonged hot and dry weather could affect air quality and water resources, while also increasing the risk of forest, peatland and open-area fires,” he said in a statement today.
According to Uggah, JPBNS, in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA), is currently planning the third phase of the Cloud Seeding Operation (OPA Series 3) as part of measures to mitigate the effects of the extended dry spell.
The operation will focus mainly on dams and water catchment areas identified as critical, especially locations important to maintaining water supplies and stabilising dam levels.
“The initiative aims to increase the potential for rainfall over targeted areas and subsequently help maintain the availability of the state’s water resources,” he said.
However, Uggah stressed that the operation could only proceed if suitable clouds were available and atmospheric and meteorological conditions were favourable.
He said the effectiveness of cloud seeding depended on the presence of cloud systems with specific characteristics, while technical and aviation safety requirements also had to be met.
The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) will continue conducting technical assessments to determine the most suitable locations, timing and atmospheric conditions before the operation is carried out.
JPBNS is also working closely with NADMA, MetMalaysia, the Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB), Department of Environment (DOE), Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM), utility agencies and other relevant bodies to coordinate monitoring, prevention, control and mitigation measures against haze and fire risks.
Meanwhile, Uggah said JPBNS was closely monitoring the hot, dry and hazy conditions affecting several parts of Sarawak, with weather and air quality reports covering 18 monitoring locations as of noon today.
Several locations recorded unhealthy Air Pollution Index (API) readings, with Serian District Police Headquarters recording the highest reading at 182, followed by Kuching at 171, Samarahan at 170, Sri Aman at 162, Sarikei at 158, Mukah and Bintulu at 151 each, Tebedu at 150 and Lundu at 102.
Uggah said continuous monitoring and cooperation from government agencies and the public remained crucial in managing the prolonged hot and dry conditions, reducing fire risks and safeguarding both water resources and air quality across Sarawak.
