Artificial cyclones for haze

Artificial cyclones for haze

KUALA LUMPUR (AP): Anxious to clear its skies, Malaysia will try Russian technology touted to create cyclones that chase away haze, newspapers quoted the environment minister as saying.

The state-owned Russian company has promised that the first demonstration will be free, The Star daily and other newspapers quoted Environment Minister Law Hieng Ding as saying.

"Since it does not cost us anything, there is no harm in allowing them to demonstrate to us," Law said.

Skies from Thailand to Australia have been clogged with thick haze for four months, endangering the health of millions. Indonesian forest fires - some set intentionally to clear land - are blamed for much of the smog.

The Russians already have tested the haze-buster, The Sun quoted Law as saying. "The new technology uses satellites and not rockets, gigantic fans, airplanes or chemicals," he said.

"I cannot tell you in detail now about the whole mechanism involved except that it is strong enough to change weather systems."

If the trial run of the cyclone-maker works, Malaysia may invest millions of dollars to stir up more cyclones, he said, adding he expected no significant damage from the storms.

Newspapers said Malaysia already has put a deal for the experiment in writing and is waiting now for word back from the Russian company.

The environment minister did not identify the Russian company, and The Associated Press could not reach Environment Ministry officials for further comment.