Cloud seeding operations have been started to tackle the current drought in central Johor. State Energy, Water, Communication and Environment Committee chairman Tan Kok Hong said cloud seeding started on Saturday and will go on for a month.
It is being jointly carried out by the Bahagian Kawalselia Air Johor which coordinates water resources in the state, the Meteorological Department and the Department of Irrigation and Drainage.
“There will be 15 cloud seeding operations over one month,” said Tan when contacted yesterday.
Tan said the flights would be carried out based on the weather, suitable cloud formations and wind direction to target the affected water catchment areas.
He advised the public, especially those residing in central Johor, to use water sparingly until the dry spell ends, expected to be by the end of this month or early next month.
Bakaj director Idris Kaprawi said the cloud seeding was done by an independent contractor appointed by the Meteorological Department.
“The state government has allocated RM500,000 for the exercise in an attempt to improve the water levels at several dams and water catchment areas.
“So far, the past two seeding sessions faced problems because of the lack of cloud formation, but we will keep on trying ,” he said.
The aircraft used for the cloud seeding is based at the Batu Berendam Airport in Malacca.
State water management company, SAJ Holdings Sdn Bhd’s corporate communication head Jamaluddin Jamil said water levels at catchment areas in other areas of the state were under control.
“In central Johor, the Bekok and Chengok dams are below the critical level,” he said.
Yesterday, Bekok dam, which supplies Batu Pahat district, was at 9.92m. Its critical mark is 10m.
Chengok dam, which supplies Mersing, registered 4.14m, 0.56m below the critical level.
Jamaluddin said despite the alarming water level, SAJ Holdings could still manage the situation in Batu Pahat and Mersing without the need to ration water.
However, water is still being rationed in Kluang, the hardest hit district.
The water level at Sembrong Barat dam fell to to 8.11m, but still above the 7.4m critical mark.
The district’s other water source, Sungai Sembrong Timur, is the worst hit with a level 0.1m. The river’s critical level is 0.5m.
