New Straits Times 20 Feb 14;
KUALA LUMPUR: Cloud seeding will be carried out to ease the water supply shortage following the severe dry spell when there is suitable weather, said Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry secretary-general Datuk Loo Took Gee.
"Of course, it is an option. But we need to wait until there are favourable clouds to perform the cloud seeding."
She said the exercise required specific types of clouds and ideal wind conditions for it to be carried out successfully.
"We need rainfall in the correct locations. In the past few days, rain has not been falling at water catchment areas."
She said the ministry would also instruct the National Water Services Commission (SPAN) to issue notices to water concessionaires and consumers to embark on water conservation exercise.
She said a meeting would be held with the water concessionaires today to identify critical areas in the peninsula.
"The Klang Valley area is at a critical stage but we are identifying other areas in the peninsula and will issue notices after the meeting," she told the New Straits Times yesterday.
She said consumers should use water judiciously in light of the impending water crisis.
The Meteorological Department yesterday confirmed it had received a request from the Selangor Water Management Board (Luas) to carry out cloud seeding over the Klang Gate Dam in Ampang.
Its deputy director-general, Dr Mohd Rosaidi Che Abas, said the exercise would be carried out as soon as weather conditions were suitable.
"We have studied the request from Luas and agreed to go ahead with cloud seeding in the specified area. This will be done as soon as possible, and the cost will be borne by Luas."
Rosaidi said the weather forecast indicated the dry spell would continue until mid-March, with only moderate rainfall in certain areas. "However, the monsoon transition period will begin in mid-March, with steady rainfall expected to resume then."
Luas director Mohd Khairi Selamat said water reserves at three of the seven dams in Selangor had fallen below 80 per cent as of yesterday due to the dry spell.
"The water reserve level at the Klang Gate Dam has dropped to 56.12 per cent, Sungai Selangor Dam to 52.65 per cent and Langat Dam stands at 78.02 per cent," he said, adding that the decrease in the water level at the dams was unusual as it usually occurred between May and September during the southwest monsoon season.
Read more: Cloud seeding to proceed when weather is suitable - General - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/nation/general/cloud-seeding-to-proceed-when-weather-is-suitable-1.488380#ixzz2tpqhvWnw
