MELAKA: Efforts to induce rainfall through cloud seeding in southern Peninsular Malaysia, particularly in Melaka, will be intensified with additional follow-up operations after initial results proved less encouraging.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the earlier cloud seeding exercise in Melaka had limited impact due to wind conditions, which caused rain-bearing clouds to drift away from targeted areas.
Zahid, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister, said further attempts would be carried out to enhance rainfall and improve water levels in the state's dams.
"The Chief Minister (Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh) informed me that second and third attempts will be implemented until the situation at the dams improves," he told reporters after attending the Melaka Sayang Rakyat Aidilfitri open house for the Duyong state constituency at Stadium Tun Fatimah, Bukit Serindit here today.
He said the operations would involve several agencies, including the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF), the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma), and other relevant bodies.
Zahid said the initiative was crucial in reducing Melaka's dependence on external water sources such as Sungai Gersik in Muar, Johor, while ensuring a more stable local water supply.
He said that cloud seeding operations were not limited to Melaka, but had also begun in Johor following earlier efforts in Perlis, Kedah and northern Perak.
"In those states, we have recorded rainfall increases of between 3.5mm and 10mm in targeted areas, which have contributed to higher dam water levels.
"This is a temporary situation and, God willing, by mid-May things will improve. We will continue with these efforts," he said. - NST
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.