NADMA will conduct cloud seeding in Perak, Kedah, Perlis, and Johor from April 6-9 to replenish dams hit by prolonged hot weather.
PUTRAJAYA: The National Disaster Management Agency will conduct cloud seeding operations in four states from April 6 to 9.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the proactive measure aims to increase water levels in dams affected by prolonged hot weather.
The operations will be carried out in Perak, Kedah, Perlis, and Johor.
They will focus on 11 dams, including Timah Tasoh in Perlis and Temenggor in Perak.
The hot weather phenomenon is due to the monsoon transition period that began on March 29.
Zahid, who chairs the Central Disaster Management Committee, said several areas remain at high risk of heatwaves.
Temperatures in these areas are reaching between 35 and 40 degrees Celsius.
“These conditions have not significantly helped to increase dam water levels,” he said in a statement.
He added this affects water resources, the agricultural sector, and daily life.
The cloud seeding will be a collaboration with the Royal Malaysian Air Force and the Malaysian Meteorological Department.
The Air Force will provide C-130 Hercules aircraft for the operations.
MetMalaysia will coordinate the technical and scientific aspects.
Zahid also instructed State Disaster Management Committees to activate their command centres.
These centres must ensure decisions are based on technical information and data-driven analysis.
Relevant agencies must channel critical data to these centres for coordination.
This includes information on dam levels, raw water supply, and landslide-prone zones.
State committees must also identify the needs of people and sectors like agriculture.
This includes delivering emergency water supplies via tanker lorries to critical areas.
“They must identify the best methods as part of a medium-term strategy,” Zahid said.
This strategy includes identifying water catchment areas during the rainy season.
NADMA must then conduct a comprehensive assessment to develop a long-term mitigation plan.
All government agencies must intensify efforts to protect their target groups.
Zahid highlighted sectors like food supply, agriculture, and public health.
He also urged the public to use water prudently and follow authorities’ instructions.
“The government’s principle is clear: the safety and well-being of the people remain the highest priority,” he said.
