Malaysia begins cloud seeding in Sarawak amid drought and haze
Malaysia has launched a three-day cloud-seeding operation in the eastern state of Sarawak on the island of Borneo. Authorities aim to replenish water reserves in hydroelectric power plant reservoirs and ease haze in the region.
Operation over reservoirs
The operation targets the Batang Ai, Bakun and Murum reservoirs. According to Anadolu Agency, citing The Star, further flights are planned over key catchment areas across the state.
Sarawak Deputy Premier Douglas Uggah Embas said the operation is intended to raise water levels in the reservoirs ahead of potentially hotter and drier conditions in October.
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Drought and fires in Indonesia
Sarawak shares a land border with Indonesia's Kalimantan provinces. Meanwhile, Indonesia is experiencing an unusually prolonged dry season, while El Niño is contributing to conditions conducive to forest fires in Sumatra and Kalimantan.
In July alone, nearly 95,000 hectares burned in Indonesia. The country's Ministry of Forestry estimated the total area of burned land as of the end of July at approximately 202,000 hectares.
Malaysia has also asked Jakarta for permission to use Indonesian airspace for cloud seeding as part of efforts to combat haze linked to the fires. Cloud seeding involves dispersing salt-based particles into suitable clouds to stimulate precipitation. This can help replenish water reserves and clear pollutants from the air.
