SUBANG: Cloud seeding operations have begun showing results, with slight improvements recorded as efforts continue to induce rainfall in targeted areas of Peninsular Malaysia.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the operations, which began yesterday based on advice from the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia), brought rainfall to Perlis and Kedah, starting at the Muda Dam and spreading across other target locations.

"Based on station observations and MetMalaysia data, rainfall in Perlis ranged from 29.8mm to 34.7mm between 7pm and 8pm, while in Kedah it ranged from 9.3mm to 30.9mm during the same period," he said.

"Rainfall observations recorded 13.5mm at Pedu station, 6.0mm to 49.0mm at Muda, and 2.0mm to 4.0mm at Ahning," he added at a press conference at Subang Air Base.

Zahid, who is also chairman of the National Disaster Management Committee, said this round of cloud seeding operations targets 11 major dams classified under alert, warning, and critical levels, covering Perak, Kedah, Perlis, and Johor.

"The operations will focus on Timah Tasoh Dam in Perlis; Ahning, Pedu, and Muda dams in Kedah; Temenggor and Bukit Merah dams in Perak; and Lebam, Upper Layang, Lower Layang, Gunung Pulai, and Machap dams in Johor," he said.

He added that the operations were based on MetMalaysia's analysis of cloud formation and wind movement, with the process dependent on suitable atmospheric conditions.

"Four tanks of salt solution are loaded onto a Royal Malaysian Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft and flown at altitudes between 5,000 and 9,000ft to disperse the solution into towering cumulus clouds in the targeted areas.

"The salt solution helps accelerate the formation of water droplets until they become rain. Typically, rainfall occurs 30 to 60 minutes after cloud seeding is carried out," he said.