New Straits Times 9 Jun 14;
SHAH ALAM: Advancing the technologies of cloud seeding with the use of dry ice and channeling pool water into the state dams are among the steps taken by the Selangor state government in preparation for the El Nino.
Selangor Water Management Authority (LUAS) director Md Khairi Selamat said the state government has conducted tests on the pool water and is confident that it is safe for human consumption.
“Our latest test was conducted on May 20th and we have send samples to various labs, including the chemical department where the tested results show that the water is safe and comply with the regulation set by the federal government.
“In light of the El Nino phenomenon, the state government will not hesitate to use water from the pool and channel it to the dams whenever it is necessary,” he said after completing his presentation on the state’s water management plan at the 2015 State Budget Dialogue here, today.
Khairi added that the state government has put in plan a more efficient strategy to maximize the efficiency of its cloud seeding activities.
This includes the use of dry ice, bigger air carrier and continuous daily cloud seeding activities in water catchment areas to maintain, and eventually increase the water level at affected state dams.
“The state government and the stakeholders involved in water management in state has been discussing our plan to lessen the impact of El Nino and these are what we have come up with.
“However, we are planning to continue discussing other possible options to ensure that there would not be a need for water rationing again,” he said.
Khairi added that LUAS and the state government is confident that there would not be another round of water rationing despite the lack of rainfall and the warm weather from El Nino phenomenon.
The water level at essential dams such as the Sungai Selangor dam has yet to improve significantly and reach the desired target set by the state government at 50 per cent.
As of today, the Sungai Selangor dam’s water level was recorded at 43.5 per cent and only slightly improved from its last recorded level.
