The Star 14 Apr 16;
PETALING JAYA: Rainfall has drastically reduced between 20% and 60% in parts of the country as Malaysians suffer through the hot and dry weather brought on by El Nino.
The good news, however, is that rainfall is expected to return to normal levels over the next two months with some states getting slightly more than average – between 50mm and 400mm.
“The effect of a stronger El Nino was felt throughout the country with a new record for average rise in temperature set in January this year, surpassing the record set in January 1998,” said a report in the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry’s website.
It stated that most parts of the country experienced a rise of between 0.5°C and 2°C rise in temperature with hotter and drier weather affecting the northern peninsula and the East Coast.
Also affected were parts of Sabah and Sarawak.
The report added the hot and dry weather would gradually taper off during the inter-monsoon over the next two months, with average temperatures dropping 1.5°C and 1.7°C.
The temperature in several parts of the country yesterday was Prai (35°C), Kota Baru (33°C), Ipoh (36°C), Cameron Highland (23°C), Petaling Jaya (34°C), Kota Kinabalu (30°C) and Sarawak (32°C).
Kedah to seed clouds for seven days in quest for rainfall
MASRIWANIE MUHAMADING New Straits Times 13 Apr 16;
LANGKAWI: Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah said the state would wait another week before deciding on the next course of action to tackle the current heat wave and dry spell, which may include water rationing.
In adopting a wait and see approach, Bashah expressed hope that there would be rainfall.
"We hope that the cloud seeding exercise will be able to induce rain and raise the water levels at all five dams in the state.
"We will see how things will turn out within these seven days.
"Hopefully there is no need for the government to impose water rationing," said Bashah who was met at the Langkawi District Office here where he chaired the weekly state executive council (Exco) meeting.
The cloud seeding exercise in Kedah which began today will continue for seven consecutive days.
It is conducted by the Meteorology Department at various locations throughout the state especial at water catchment areas and dams.
Cloud-seeding successful in Perak, efforts to be continued in targeted areas
BERNAMA New Straits Times 13 Apr 16;
KUALA LUMPUR: Cloud-seeding carried out yesterday to counter the haze and water crisis produced some rain at certain targeted areas.
Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau said one operation lasting two hours was carried out in Kudat, Kota Marudu and Pitas, Sabah at 2 pm.
He said two other operations based at Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Subang were carried out in the peninsula from 2 pm till 5.45 pm with the cooperation of the Royal Malaysian Air Force.
“The targeted areas were Pedu dam and Muda dam in Kedah and Bukit Merah dam in Perak,” he said in a statement here.
He said another operation based at Bayan Lepas International Airport was carried out at 1.45 pm till 4.55 pm, using a private aircraft and the flare method.
“The targeted areas were Timah Tasoh dam in Perlis; Ahning dam, Pedu and Muda dams in Kedah and Bukit Merah dam in Perak.
“The operation managed to produce rain in areas around the Bukit Merah dam in Perak,” he said, adding, cloud seeding would continue today. -- Bernama
