Picnews
Malaysia has begun a three-day cloud-seeding operation in Sarawak state to help reduce severe haze caused by smoke from Indonesian forest fires and improve water reserves ahead of expected dry weather conditions.
The operation, launched on Thursday, is targeting three hydroelectric dams and 13 water catchment areas, according to the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee.
Residents across the Borneo island state have experienced days of heavy haze as smoke from forest fires in Indonesia’s Kalimantan region spread across the area, worsening air quality and increasing reports of respiratory problems.
Authorities said rainfall generated through cloud seeding could help lower the concentration of pollutants in the atmosphere and support efforts to tackle the worsening haze situation.
Sarawak’s Disaster Management Committee chairman, Douglas Uggah Embas, said the exercise was also aimed at boosting water supplies before a predicted period of hotter and drier weather.
“October might be hotter and drier. We want to increase the water levels as much as possible while we still can,” Uggah told reporters at the Malaysian air force base in Kuching, where a C-130 aircraft was prepared for the operation.
The aircraft is expected to release a saline solution into suitable clouds at altitudes between 5,000 and 7,000 feet over selected areas to encourage rainfall.
However, Uggah explained that cloud seeding can only work when favourable cloud formations and atmospheric conditions exist, noting that the process cannot create rain without suitable clouds.
Officials said weather conditions and rainfall patterns would be closely monitored throughout the operation to evaluate its effectiveness.
Air quality in Sarawak worsened on Thursday, with seven locations recording hazardous Air Pollutant Index (API) readings above 300. Serian, a town located about 60 kilometres southeast of Kuching, recorded the highest reading at 475.
Under Malaysia’s air quality guidelines, API readings above 300 are considered hazardous, while levels exceeding 500 may lead to the declaration of a local emergency.
The prolonged dry spell has also affected water supplies, prompting state welfare agencies to distribute more than 450,000 boxes of drinking water to over 225,000 residents since January.
Meanwhile, firefighting and civil defence teams remain on the ground battling local fires, while health officials have advised residents in affected areas to reduce outdoor activities and use haze-protection masks.
