Sarawak to carry out cloud seeding Sept 3 to 5 as haze worsens, four water plants shut

Sarawak has announced plans to carry out cloud seeding between September 3 and 5 to combat worsening haze and critically low reservoir levels that have forced four water treatment plants to stop operating. According to the Malaysian Meteorological Department, the weather conditions are expected to be suitable for the operation during this three-day period.

Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas confirmed that officials would meet to determine the specifics of the operation, prioritizing Sarawak Energy Berhad dams due to their importance to the state's electricity supply. Following the dams, water reservoirs with severely depleted levels would be targeted. The Rural Water Supply Department reported that the affected plants are located in Simunjan, Lingga, Spaoh, and Lichok.

Uggah emphasized that cloud seeding cannot be performed on demand, as suitable cloud formations are required for the operation to be effective. The state has been grappling with severe haze, with Air Pollutant Index readings indicating hazardous air quality at multiple locations. Disasters management committee members are continuing to monitor the haze, particularly smoke from fires in Kalimantan carried by prevailing winds.