PENANG Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) stated today that cloud seeding activities over water catchment areas on Penang island are scheduled to start on April 29.
According to its CEO K. Pathmanathan, The Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has proposed that the first round of operations be conducted between April 29 and May 7.
The Royal Malaysia Air Force (RMAF) will be conducting the cloud seeding operation, which is expected to depart from the Subang Air Base in Selangor.
“The primary objective is to induce heavy rainfall over the water catchment areas of the Air Itam Dam and Teluk Bahang Dam,” Pathmanathan said
He stated that substantial rainfall needs to happen to replenish the dams with as much raw water as possible, as the dams’ effective capacity are now 44.8% at Air Itam Dam and 48.6% at Teluk Bahang Dam.
He pointed out that due to low rainfall in water catchment areas and high water demand in Penang, the dams’ effective capacities were down by 37.7% and 15.4%, respectively, since January 1.
“Both dams were not refilled to 100% capacity at the end of 2022 due to low rainfall in the water catchment areas last year,” he said.
He stated that the state government had approved an allocation of RM400,000 for cloud seeding operations and had requested federal government for help.
The National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) responded by facilitating cloud seeding operations, and the air force agreed to carry them out given that no qualified private sector companies could meet the conditions set by Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia.
Pathmanathan expressed gratitude to the federal agencies, Meteorological Department, and the Penang Water Regulatory Body for enabling these operations.
He stated that a PBAPP representative will be around to watch the cloud seeding operations personally.
He estimates that it will take several days for rain to fall and pour into the dams.
“Depending on the outcome and circumstances, PBAPP may request for additional allocations from the state government to fund a second wave of additional cloud seeding operations to replenish the reserves of Penang’s dams,” he said.
He urged domestic consumers to use water wisely noting that domestic water consumption accounts for 61.5% of the state’s overall water usage of 868 million litres per day (MLD). – April 25, 2023
Main pic credit: Trip Advisor
