CLOUD-SEEDING operations to induce heavy rainfall in Penang will be carried out from April 29, says the Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP). 

In a statement today, its chief executive officer, K. Pathmanathan said the Malaysian Meteorological Department had recommended the timeframe from April 29 to May 7 for the first wave of operations to be carried out at two dams on Penang Island. 

“The primary objective is to induce heavy rainfall over the water catchment areas of the Air Itam Dam and Teluk Bahang Dam.  

“Heavy rainfall is required to refill these dams with as much raw water as possible,” he said. 

Moreover, he added that the Air Itam Dam, which was at 82.5% capacity in January, now stood at 44.8% while the Teluk Bahang Dam, which was at 64%, was currently at 48.6%. 

He stated that the capacities of both dams had dropped by 37.7% and 15.4% respectively since January 1, due primarily to low rainfall in water catchment areas and higher water demand this year. 

“The storage level of the Air Itam Dam had diminished by a higher percentage since January 1 because its maximum effective capacity is 2,160 million litres (ML) as compared to the Teluk Bahang Dam’s maximum effective capacity of 19,240 ML,” he added. 

He said it would take a few days after cloud-seeding for rainfall to occur and water to flow into the dams. 

Pathmanathan added that the state government had approved a RM400,000 budget to fund the operations.  

“Depending on the outcome and circumstances, PBAPP may also request additional allocations from the Penang state government to fund a second wave of cloud-seeding operations to replenish the reserves of Penang’s dams. 

“In 2022, about 61.5% of Penang’s total water consumption of 868 million litres per day (MLD) was due to domestic water consumption. In February 2023, total water consumption in Penang spiked further to an average of 944 MLD,” he added. 

He urged Penangites to reduce their daily water consumption by adopting water-saving practices. – Bernama, April 25, 2023.