MELAKA, April 10 — Efforts to carry out cloud seeding in the southern Peninsular Malaysia, especially in Melaka, will be ramped up with several follow-ups after less-than-encouraging initial results.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the cloud-seeding attempt in Melaka had minimal impact due to wind factors, which caused clouds to drift away from targeted areas.
Zahid, who is also rural and regional development minister, said relevant parties would carry out second and third attempts to increase rainfall, which would help boost water supply in Melaka.
“The chief minister (Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh) informed me that second and third attempts will be implemented until the situation at the dams can be improved,” he told reporters after attending the Duyong state constituency Aidilfitri open house at Stadium Tun Fatimah in Bukit Serindit here today.
Zahid said the cloud seeding would involve cooperation among several agencies, including the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) and the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA).
He said the effort is important to help the Melaka government reduce reliance on external water sources such as Sungai Gersik in Muar, Johor, while ensuring a more stable local water supply.
Meanwhile, he said cloud-seeding operations are not only being carried out in Melaka, but also in Johor following successful attempts in several other states, including Perlis, Kedah and Perak.
“In those states, we have seen an increase in rainfall between 3.5mm and 10mm in targeted areas, resulting in higher water levels at the dams.
“This problem is temporary and, God willing, by mid-May the situation will be different. We will continue with these efforts,” Zahid said.
