Sarawak begins cloud seeding to boost water levels

Cloud seeding operations have commenced in Sarawak to increase water levels in key catchment areas and hydroelectric plants. The operation targets the Batang Ai hydroelectric plant first, followed by assessments at Murum and Bakun, along with 13 other water catchment areas.

Success of the operation depends on the presence of suitable cloud formations and atmospheric conditions. MetMalaysia is currently evaluating cloud clusters, noting that some previous formations were unsuitable because wind patterns moved them toward the South China Sea, which would prevent rain from reaching the intended areas.

The initiative, involving the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA), MetMalaysia, and the Royal Malaysian Air Force, also aims to mitigate haze in certain regions. While officials hope the resulting rainfall will reduce haze, they noted that effectiveness depends on the reduction of hotspots in neighboring regions.