Kuala lumpur: A cloud-seeding operation targeting key dams and water catchment areas in Sarawak will be carried out from today until Sept 5, announced Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas. Uggah, who also chairs the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC), stated that the initiative would depend on the availability of suitable clouds and favorable atmospheric conditions.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Uggah explained that the initial focus would be the Batang Ai hydroelectric plant area, followed by assessments of cloud conditions over Murum and Bakun. "We are also targeting 13 water catchment areas in Sarawak. The aim is to increase the water volume in these regions," he informed reporters after a briefing on the operation.

The operation includes collaboration with the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA), the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia), and the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF). Uggah further mentioned that the cloud-seeding effort aims to alleviate the haze impacting various parts of the state.

He expressed hope that the resultant rainfall would aid in reducing the haze, while acknowledging the challenge posed by external factors. "We hope the rainfall will help us reduce the haze. That is another objective, but we cannot promise the haze will disappear because we must not forget where the source of the haze comes from," he said. Uggah emphasized the need for continued efforts by Indonesia to diminish hotspots, which would consequently lessen the haze, as Sarawak itself has a minimal number of hotspots.