Cloud seeding exercises to drive needed water to fill up catchment areas affected by the current drought have been postponed to make way for the search and rescue (SAR) operations being conducted in the search for Malaysian Airlines Flight MH370.
Director of the Meteorology Department’s Atmospheric Science and Cloud Seeding Division, Azhar Ishak, said yesterday that the Royal Malaysian Air Force (TUDM) aircraft needed to conduct the cloud seeding exercises have been redelegated for use in the SAR operations for Flight MH370.
He said, “We are holding off (cloud seeding) operations today and tomorrow. We need to make way for the SAR mission for the missing MH370 flight as it is our topmost priority at this time.
“However, we will resume with cloud seeding operations according to our schedule which runs until March 16.”
Cloud seeding operations, which began on March 3, had been utilizing TUDM C-130 Hercules aircraft.
Azhar continued that his division will recommence efforts to help divert more rainfall to water catchment areas that are at critical levels. “We will give priority to areas in Selangor and parts of Negeri Sembilan which are still experiencing water shortages. Areas whose cloud conditions have high potential for rain will also be given prioroty.”
He added that cloud seeding is also hoped to help mitigate the effects of the haze affecting several areas.
Story: Utusan Online
