Cloud Seeding Carried Out At Bukit Merah Dam To Help Farmers

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The cloud seeding is expected to bring relief to padi farmers in the Kerian agricultural development scheme. (Bernama pic)PETALING JAYA: After many discussions and delays, cloud seeding was carried out today at the Bukit Merah dam in Semanggol, Perak, today.
This step is expected to trigger much-needed rainfall to help padi farmers in the area and meet the drinking needs of the population in surrounding areas.
Bernama reported that the agriculture and food industries ministry carried out the cloud-seeding operation in collaboration with the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) and the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF).
Deputy minister Ahmad Hamzah said the operation focused on two integrated agricultural development areas covering more than 20,000ha in the Kerian area and adjacent areas in Penang.
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“We are confident that this operation will directly benefit 8,869 padi farmers in the Kerian area and 1,267 others in Penang,” he said.
MetMalaysia deputy director-general of operations Lim Ze Hui said the seeding was done using 800kg of salt dissolved in 4,800 litres of water in four water tanks.
RMAF used the Charlie 130 Hercules aircraft for the cloud-seeding.
“For each spray in a suitable cloud, it takes 30 minutes to rain. According to our analysis today, the weather conditions are good,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ahmad said the water level at the Bukit Merah dam reached the critical level on May 27 and this had resulted in supply disruptions in the area.
“The water level in the dam stands at 8.25 metres compared to the normal level of 8.70 metres,” he said. - FMT

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