PUTRAJAYA, Feb 14 — The National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA), in collaboration with the Malaysian Meteorological Department and the Royal Malaysian Air Force, is implementing cloud seeding operations (OPA) in the Northern Zone to mitigate the effects of hot weather and declining water levels at several major dams.
It said that the operations, which began yesterday, will continue today, focusing on rain catchment areas in Kedah and Perlis, involving several strategic dams that are the main sources of water supply for domestic, industrial, and agricultural use.
"In Kedah, the areas comprise the Pedu Dam, which serves as the main lifeline for paddy irrigation and domestic and industrial water supply; the Muda Dam, which functions as a balancing reservoir with its water channelled to the Pedu Dam via the Saiong Tunnel and the Ahning Dam, which is among the important dams for releasing water for domestic and industrial use,” NADMA said in a Facebook post.
Meanwhile, in Perak, the operation is centred at the Bukit Merah Dam to ensure the stability of the paddy irrigation system in the northern state, in addition to the Temenggor Dam that serves as a hydroelectric power generator and water catchment area to supply drinking water and meet the needs of the agricultural sector, particularly in the Perak Tengah district.
The operations involved C-130 Hercules aircraft that departed from Subang Air Base.
The agency said it hoped the operation would help restore water reserves to support the well-being of people, particularly the agricultural sector and domestic use.
The OPA is implemented to enhance rainfall formation and increase rainfall in selected areas during water shortages, haze, and forest fires.
