Cloud seeding operation begins
Published on: Friday, April 08, 2016
Kota Kinabalu: Cloud seeding took place for the first time on Thursday, resulting in little showers at the West Coast South, Lower Interior and Sipitang.According to Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) Director General Datuk Che Gayah Ismail, the operation was carried out by the Air Force based in Labuan, commencing at 11.06am and ended at 12.36pm.The target areas for the operation were Kuala Penyu, Membakut, Beaufort and Penampang.
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"The cloud seeding started at 11.28am and ended at 12.07pm. The operation, however, only produced little showers over the West Coast South, Lower Interior and Sipitang," she said.The showers over the three areas were reported at between 3pm and 3.30pm.No cloud seeding operation is expected to be carried out today (Friday).In LABUAN, MetMalaysia Office Director Donis Gunting said four tanks of saltwater were used in the operation.
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He said each tank contained 1,500 litres of saltwater which were sprayed into the suitable clouds in Beaufort, Menumbok, Membakut, Kuala Penyu, Sipitang, Penampang, Kota Kinabalu, Tuaran and other areas in rural of Sabah. "We hope the operation will succeed and help induce rain to these areas," he said.
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He said the operation was carried out in collaboration with the Labuan Water Department and Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (Mosti). Cloud seeding, a form of weather modification, is the attempt to change the amount or type of precipitation that falls from clouds, by dispersing substances into the air that serves as cloud condensation or ice nuclei, which alter the microphysical processes within the cloud.It had been seen as the last resort to bring rain to the West Coast and interior of Sabah following thick haze that enveloped the whole area.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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