SUBANG JAYA, September 3 — The government has carried out a cloud seeding operation (OPA) in Perlis and Kedah today as an early, targeted measure to address dry weather, low rainfall and deteriorating air quality risks.
The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) said in a statement that the operation focused on increasing rainfall over targeted areas and catchments to help boost and maintain water levels at major dams.
It said the initiative was crucial to ensure an uninterrupted water supply for domestic and agricultural use during the dry spell.
Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES) secretary-general Datuk Anis Rizana Mohd Zainudin joined the flight to observe the operational process, technical requirements and challenges faced by the team.
The target locations included the Timah Tasoh Dam in Perlis, as well as the Ahning, Pedu, Muda and Beris dams in Kedah.
A Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) C-130H aircraft from No. 20 Squadron, Subang Air Base, was used for the operation, carrying four tanks of salt solution for cloud seeding.
Prepared as early as 8am, each tank contained a mixture of about 200 kilogrammes of sodium chloride (NaCl) and 1,500 litres of water before the aircraft took off at 12.30pm.
The mission was led by RMAF Mission Commander Maj Mohammad Syaaban Zainal Abidin, alongside pilot Maj Mohamad Saifullah Mohamad and co-pilots Capt Mohd Fuad Mohd Nazir and Lt Muhammad Awais Fahmi Abdul Razak.
Also on board were navigator Lt Muhammad Zulhafizie Mat Zam, flight engineer Maj Muhammad Khairi Khamis, and loadmasters Air Warrant Officer II Zamzuri Mat Jusoh, Air Sergeant Muhd Nur Ezzat Ismail and Air Sergeant Muhammad Syazwan Mohd Yusoff.
Cloud seeding was first carried out over the Timah Tasoh Dam before the aircraft headed to the Ahning Dam, where seeding was skipped due to a lack of suitable cloud formation.
The aircraft then proceeded to other dams in Kedah, spraying the salt solution where cloud conditions met the technical criteria before completing the operation at 3.30pm.
MetMalaysia said the success of the operation depended on suitable cloud formations and atmospheric conditions, with each flight guided by scientific assessments and meteorological analysis.
Observations showed the operation was conducted at altitudes between 5,000 and 9,000 feet, depending on cloud formations.
MetMalaysia noted that cloud seeding operations conducted across several states this year – including Perlis, Kedah, Perak, Johor, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Sarawak and Sabah – achieved a 90 per cent success rate in generating rainfall over target or catchment areas.
The operation was a strategic collaboration involving the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma), MetMalaysia and the RMAF, with Nadma coordinating funding, the RMAF providing flight support, and MetMalaysia supplying technical expertise.
MetMalaysia added that the government would continue to consider further cloud seeding operations as a mitigation measure against the El Nino phenomenon and haze episodes, subject to atmospheric conditions and cloud suitability. — Bernama
Date: 3 September, 2026 7:36 pm
Source: Malay Mail
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