KOTA KINABALU: The Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) started cloud seeding operation in Sabah yesterday using the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) aircraft from its Labuan Base.

Its director-general, Datuk Che Gayah Ismail, said the operation commenced at 11am.

“The operation normally took one or two hours to complete, depending on the locations of the clouds,” she told Bernama when contacted.

She said the operation was carried out to clear the air of haze which was caused by peat fire in the state, and that it would continue throughout the week if necessary.

Labuan Meteorological Office director Donis Gunting said the the RMAF Charlie 130 aircraft loaded with four saltwater-laden tanks was used for the cloud seeding operation.

He said the each tank contained about 1, 500 liters of water with salt to be sprayed into the suitable clouds in certain areas in Beaufort, Menumbok, Membakut, Kuala Penyu, Sipitang, Penampang, Kota Kinabalu, Tuaran and certain areas in rural of Sabah.

“The preparation started at 8am and the departure from RMAF base three hours later. We hope the operation will succeed and help induce rain in these areas,” he said yesterday.

Donis said certain areas in the West Coast of Sabah, including in Beaufort, were experiencing dry spell and sparked peat fire.

The operation is carried out in collaboration with the Labuan Water Department, RMAF Labuan and the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation. It is expected to be carried out throughout this week, depending on the weather condition.

Source:
courtesy of THE BORNEO POST

by Borneo Post

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