KUCHING: Sarawak is planning a third round of cloud seeding as prolonged hot and dry conditions continue to affect air quality and raise concerns over water resources across the state.
Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) Chairman, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, said the committee, together with the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA), is planning Cloud Seeding Operation (OPA) Series 3, focusing particularly on dams and water catchment areas identified as critical.
“The main focus of OPA Series 3 will be on dams and water catchment areas identified as critical, particularly areas that are important to ensuring the continuity of water supply and stability of dam water levels.
“This effort is aimed at increasing the potential for rainfall in the targeted areas and subsequently helping to maintain the availability of the state’s water resources,” he said in a statement today.
The move comes as nine locations recorded unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings as at noon today.
Of the 18 locations monitored, IPD Serian recorded the highest API reading at 182, followed by Kuching at 171, Samarahan (170), Sri Aman (162), Sarikei (158), Mukah (151), Bintulu (151), Tebedu (150) and Lundu (102).
Uggah said the prolonged hot and dry weather could affect air quality and water supplies, while increasing the risk of forest, peatland and open-area fires.
“SDMC, together with the relevant agencies, is continuously strengthening monitoring of weather developments, air pollution levels, hotspots, forest and peatland fires, as well as the status of water resources,” he said.
However, Uggah said the implementation of the third cloud seeding operations would depend on the availability of suitable clouds as well as favourable atmospheric and meteorological conditions.
“The effectiveness of the operations depends on the presence of cloud systems with specific characteristics that meet the technical requirements and aviation safety criteria.
“METMalaysia will continue to carry out technical analyses and assessments to determine the suitability of the location, timing and atmospheric conditions before the operations are carried out,” he said.
Uggah said SDMC would continue working closely with NADMA, the Malaysian Meteorological Department (METMalaysia), Natural Resources and Environment Board Sarawak (NREB), Department of Environment (DOE), Fire and Rescue Department (BOMBA), utility agencies and other relevant bodies.
He said the cooperation is aimed at ensuring that monitoring, prevention, control and mitigation measures for the haze and fire risks are implemented in an integrated and effective manner.
