Malaysia Deploys Cloud Seeding Operation to Tackle Forest Fire Haze
The Malaysian government has launched a three-scale cloud seeding operation in Sarawak to reduce the impact of dangerous haze enveloping the state. Smoke from forest and land fires (karhutla) in Kalimantan, Indonesia, has worsened air quality and increased respiratory complaints among residents.
The operation, which commenced on Thursday (3/9), is intended to help clear the air while simultaneously increasing water reserves to face potentially hotter and drier weather. The Sarawak Disaster Management Committee stated that cloud seeding will focus on three hydroelectric dams and 13 catchment areas. The operation involves the Royal Malaysian Air Force, the National Disaster Management Agency, and the Malaysian Meteorological Department.
Sarawak Disaster Management Committee Chairman Douglas Uggah Embas stated that the operation is crucial to increasing water availability before dry conditions worsen. “October is likely to be hotter and drier. We want to increase water levels as much as possible while it is still possible,” Uggah told journalists at the Royal Malaysian Air Force base in Kuching.
A C-130 aircraft has been prepared to conduct cloud seeding flights. The aircraft will disperse salt solutions into clouds at altitudes of approximately 5,000 to 7,000 feet over the target areas. The Sarawak government stated that the rain generated through cloud seeding has the potential to help lower pollutant concentrations in the air, thereby reducing the deterioration of air quality caused by the haze.
However, the operation depends on atmospheric conditions. Cloud seeding cannot be performed if suitable cloud formations are unavailable. Cloud development and rainfall will be monitored regularly to determine atmospheric conditions and assess the operation’s results.
Air quality conditions in Sarawak worsened again on Thursday. Seven locations recorded an Air Pollutant Index (API) above 300, which falls into the hazardous category. The Serian region, approximately 60 km southeast of Kuching, recorded the worst conditions, with an API reaching 475. According to Malaysian national guidelines, an API above 300 is categorised as hazardous. If the index exceeds 500, the government may consider declaring a local state of emergency.
Haze has enveloped several areas of Sarawak for several days. Smoke originating from fires in Kalimantan has been reported to drift into Malaysian territories and even as far as the Philippines.
On the other hand, the prolonged dry weather has begun to strain water supply infrastructure in Sarawak. Since January, the state’s welfare agency has distributed over 450,000 boxes of drinking water to approximately 225,000 residents.