Haze: Cloud Seeding Operations Carried Out in Areas with API Above 150, Dams at Critical Levels

SERDANG: Cloud seeding operations are being carried out in areas affected by haze, particularly those recording Air Pollutant Index (API) readings exceeding 150, as well as in dam areas showing declining water levels.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the operations are being implemented through cooperation between the Malaysian Meteorological Department (METMalaysia) and the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF).

He said the measure is important, as there are dams recording declining water levels, to prevent water supply disruptions due to the current hot weather.

“This must be done, because we know that many dams have shown declining water levels. Today, cloud seeding is being carried out in Putrajaya, and from 3 to 5 September in Sarawak, Kedah, and Perlis.

“This cloud seeding is carried out not only according to necessity, but also according to suitability because even if there are clouds, we need to look at the direction of cloud movement towards the targeted area,” he told reporters after officiating the KKDW Rural Entrepreneurial Village at the Malaysia Agriculture, Horticulture, and Agrotourism Exhibition (MAHA) 2026, at the Malaysia Agricultural Expo Park (MAEPS) here today.

Three areas in Sarawak recorded API readings at hazardous levels as of 12.30 pm today.

According to the Malaysian Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS) portal of the Department of Environment (DOE), API readings at the Serian District Police Headquarters (IPD) monitoring station reached 412, followed by Samarahan (332) and Kuching (304).

Sri Aman, meanwhile, recorded an API reading at the very unhealthy level, at 228.

BERNAMA