PEOPLE do not need to worry about rain brought about by cloud seeding operations as it is not detrimental to health, said Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) director-general Jailan Simon. 

He said MetMalaysia used the wet seeding method by dissolving sodium chloride or cooking salt in water and used the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) aircraft.

“People do not have to worry about the rain affecting their health. In the wet seeding process, salt water is sprayed into the cloud to form a nucleus and attracts water vapour in the clouds to form raindrops.

“This method is more suitable for cloud seeding in wide areas and uses larger (RMAF) aircraft as it carries a relatively heavy salt water tank,” he told Bernama today.

In addition, Jailan said MetMalaysia also used a dry seeding method called “hygroscopic flares” placed in a special place on the wings of the aircraft.

He said the hygroscopic flares were suitable for use in low-lying areas and used smaller aircraft such as the Cessna type.

“MetMalaysia has only used (dry seeding method) once during the smoke in the Klang Valley recently,” he said, explaining that the rain on Tuesday and yesterday had nothing to do with cloud seeding operations.

Jailan said currently, MetMalaysia has suspended cloud seeding operations due to natural rainfall over the past two days.

He said during the air pollution occasion, six cloud seeding operations were conducted – three times in Sarawak (Kuching, Samarahan, Serian, Sarikei, Betong and Sri Aman) and three times in the peninsula (Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Perak, Kedah and Penang).

In the meantime, Jailan said cloud seeding was also done to increase the water level of dams for water supply or for agriculture.

“For example, during the dry season, we are often asked to do cloud seeding in agricultural areas such as the Muda Agricultural Development Authority to raise water levels in the Muda and Pedu dams for agricultural purposes.

“MetMalaysia is also frequently asked to help with cloud seeding to improve water levels at dams in states with water supply problems,” he said. – Bernama, September 26, 2019.