Malaysia: State govt mulls cloud seeding to combat drought in Tawau

The Star 28 Feb 16;

TAWAU: Cloud seeding will be carried out in Tawau if all other efforts cannot solve the water supply problem in the district due to drought.

State Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the state government would discuss the move if the situation warrants it.

"The state government is aware of the problem of water shortage being faced by the residents of Tawau due to the el-Nino phenomenon," he said.

He said this after representing Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman to open the Umno Kalabakan Silver Jubilee celebration in the compound of the Umno Kalabakan office Sunday.

He urged the people of Tawau to be patient in facing the situation.

He said the government had deployed tanker lorries to ensure water supply was delivered to the residents in the district.

Meanwhile, Tawau MP Datuk Abdul Ghapur Salleh said the construction of a RM400mil dam in Kampung Cinta Mata, which would begin this year, was a long-term solution to the problem. - Bernama