Cloud seeding succeeds in bringing rainfall to several areas in peninsula

Yesterday's cloud seeding operations in Selangor, Perak and Pahang was successful in generating rainfall but the haze remains.

Science, Technology and Innovation (Mosti) Minister Datuk Wilfred Madius Tangau said it brought rainfall to several areas near the Selangor and Perak border, northern border of Selangor and Pahang and southern Perak and the Pahang border.

"As for Sarawak, cloud seeding was conducted around Tebekang in Samarahan division and the areas of Balai Ringindan Pantu in Sri Aman but it was not successful," he said in a statement today.

According to Tangau, the operation failed due to the dry and stable atmospheric condition which could not promote the growth of clouds during the cloud seeding operation.

"Mosti, through the Malaysian Meteorological Department in collaboration with the Royal Malaysian Air Force will continue with the operations in areas that are still severely affected by the haze.

Meanwhile, the Department of Environment portal, as at 5pm yesterday, reported Bukit Rambai, Melaka was the latest area to record an unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) of 106.

Additionally, 10 other areas were still recording unhealthy API readings namely, Kuching, Samarahan (155), Sri Aman (154), Sarikei (137), Sibu (130), Kapit (122), Melaka City (112), Tawau (110), Balok Baru, Kuantan (104) and Kemaman (101).

Shah Alam and Paka recorded moderate API readings of 92 and 97, respectively. – Bernama