By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Sept 3: Sarawak will seek additional cloud-seeding operations as an early measure to protect water resources, with weather forecasts indicating that October could bring even hotter conditions and further pressure on water levels.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said the Sarawak government had requested the Malaysian Meteorological Department (METMalaysia) to conduct further cloud seeding beyond the operation currently being carried out from today until Sept 5.
“Additional operations had been requested for Sept 6 and 7, depending on weather and cloud conditions.
“We have requested the Meteorological Department to continue this cloud-seeding effort, not just once during this phase. They will also conduct cloud-seeding operations on Sept 6 and 7, as requested,” he said after witnessing preparations for the cloud-seeding operation at the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) Base in Kuching today.
He emphasised that Sarawak wanted to take advantage of any suitable weather conditions to increase water levels as much as possible before the anticipated hotter weather.
“We have been informed that October could bring hotter weather, which may create further problems for our water levels. So, if there are opportunities to increase water levels as much as possible while weather conditions still permit, that will be our objective,” he said.
The current cloud-seeding operation is targeting three hydropower dams and 13 water catchment areas across five divisions of Samarahan, Sri Aman, Betong, Kapit and Limbang.
Uggah said cloud seeding was being used as part of the State’s early measures to address the impact of the prolonged hot and dry weather, particularly on water resources, and to help reduce haze through rainfall. — DayakDaily
