Cloud seeding in Johor yields 5mm to 40mm of rain, with MetMalaysia and RMAF collaborating to address dry weather and water shortages.
KUALA LUMPUR: The cloud seeding operation (OPA) in Johor yesterday showed positive developments when the state recorded rainfall between 5 millimetres (mm) and 40mm as a result of the intervention.
Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup said the operation was conducted by the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) in collaboration with the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) to increase rainfall distribution in catchment areas affected by dry weather.
“Weather radar analysis showed that rain was detected as early as 5 pm. Although the operation was not conducted at the Machap Dam due to the absence of suitable clouds, overall, this operation is categorised as successful,” he posted on Facebook today.
He said that through the third series of operations this year, the RMAF C130-Hercules aircraft that departed from the Subang Air Base at 3.10 pm targeted the Seluyut Dam, Lok Heng Cluster, Upper Layang, Lower Layang, Pulai and Lebam areas using a technique of dispersing salt solution into cumulus clouds at an altitude of 5,000 to 7,000 feet.
He said significant rainfall was recorded in Bukit Layang-layang (28.9mm), Johor Bahru (18.8mm), Felda Bukit Batu (5.1mm) and Labis (3.4mm).
“Thank you to the MetMalaysia and RMAF teams for their commitment to addressing water shortage issues in critical catchment areas for the well-being of the people. We will continue to monitor atmospheric conditions for further action, if necessary,” he said.