{
  "id": 857992,
  "title": "Sarawak plans cloud seeding for critical water catchment areas",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/14/sarawak-plans-cloud-seeding-for-critical-water-catchment-areas",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-14T09:55:05.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/regional/2026/08/1511183/sarawak-plans-cloud-seeding-critical-water-catchment-areas"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "KUCHING, Sarawak - The Sarawak government is considering cloud seeding to tackle the risk of water scarcity and fires in critical dam and water catchment areas due to prolonged hot and dry weather. Deputy Premier and State Disaster Management Committee chairman Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas revealed the plan to maintain the state's water supply amid increasing concerns over air pollution and fire hazards. The committee will collaborate with the National Disaster Management Agency to launch Cloud Seeding Operation Series 3, which aims to enhance rainfall potential in targeted areas. However, the effectiveness of this operation relies on favorable weather conditions and cloud systems meeting specific technical criteria. The Malaysian Meteorological Department will assess these factors before proceeding with the operation. Meanwhile, the committee is closely monitoring air quality and weather conditions across Sarawak, with several locations reporting unhealthy air quality levels.",
  "summary": "KUCHING: Sarawak plans cloud seeding over critical dam and water catchment areas following prolonged hot and dry weather.",
  "key_points": [
    "Sarawak government plans cloud seeding to address water scarcity and fire risks.",
    "Collaboration with National Disaster Management Agency for Cloud Seeding Operation Series 3.",
    "Effectiveness depends on favorable weather conditions and technical criteria."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Bernama",
        "title": "General : Sarawak Plans Third Cloud Seeding Operation To Tackle Dry Weather",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/14/general-sarawak-plans-third-cloud-seeding-operation-to-tackle-dry",
        "published": "2026-08-14T08:04:52.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Sarawak plans third cloud seeding operation amid prolonged hot, dry weather",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/14/sarawak-plans-third-cloud-seeding-operation-amid-prolonged-hot-dry",
        "published": "2026-08-14T10:39:14.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}