By DayakDaily Team
BETONG, Sept 5: Sarawak is seeking more frequent cloud seeding operations this month as the State braces for continued hot weather that could further deplete reservoir and raw water levels through October.
In a TVS report, Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas said the State government was in discussions with the federal government to carry out cloud seeding as frequently as possible throughout September, subject to suitable atmospheric conditions and cloud formation.
He said the measure was necessary to replenish water levels at dams and raw water sources affected by the prolonged hot weather.
“Therefore, our strategy now is to discuss with the federal government so that they can carry out cloud seeding as frequently as possible this month whenever there are clouds, so that we can improve the water levels at the dams,” he told reporters after inspecting damage to the Sungai Batang Layar Bridge here today.
Uggah, who is also Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) chairman, said projections indicated that hot weather could persist through September and October, potentially putting further pressure on water supplies.
He said the situation had already reached a critical level in several areas, with water supply in Lubau at a critical level, while water supply operations in Awik and Spaoh had already been halted.
“The federal government is prepared to carry it out as long as there are clouds in the atmosphere, and we all know that this problem needs to be resolved as quickly as possible. They understand our situation,” he said.
He said cloud seeding had so far been carried out at 13 water catchment locations across Sarawak, including Batang Ai, Bakun and Murum dams.
He added that SDMC would continue taking appropriate measures to help restore reservoir and raw water levels whenever weather conditions allowed. — DayakDaily
