Ahmad zahid: Cloud seeding operations will be carried out in stages across 13 areas in three states from Sept 3 to 5 as worsening haze affects Sarawak and hot weather pushes reservoir levels to critical levels in Kedah and Perlis.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced that operations in Sarawak would cover Batang Ai, Bakun, Murum, Bengoh, Gerugu, Assyakirin, Sika, and Matang to mitigate the haze effects. In Kedah, cloud seeding will be conducted over the Pedu, Muda, Ahning, and Beris dams, while the Timah Tasoh Dam in Perlis will also be targeted to address critically low water levels caused by hot weather.

The operations will be conducted by the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) in collaboration with the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) and the Royal Malaysian Air Force. Ahmad Zahid emphasized the urgency of the cloud seeding, stating that MetMalaysia would advise on areas where the haze has reached dangerous levels, allowing operations to focus on the most severely affected locations.

Ahmad Zahid, who also serves as the National Disaster Management Committee chairman, highlighted the urgent need for assistance in Sarawak, where widespread fires in Kalimantan have affected about three-quarters of the state. Earlier, five areas were reported to have recorded hazardous Air Pollutant Index (API) readings, with Serian registering the highest at 415.

According to the Malaysian Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS), as of 6 am, Kuching recorded an API of 405, followed by Samarahan at 369, Sri Aman at 355, and Sarikei at 328. Four other areas in Sarawak recorded very unhealthy readings, namely Sibu at 298, Mukah at 228, Bintulu at 221, and Samalaju at 218. Meanwhile, unhealthy readings were recorded at ILP Miri (184), Miri (178), Kapit (176), and Limbang (166).