'Hot spell to persist, cloud seeding not feasible yet'

New Straits Times

18-07-2025

KUALA LUMPUR: The current hot spell affecting parts of the country is expected to persist until the end of this month, said the Malaysian Meteorological Department (METMalaysia).
Its director-general, Dr Mohd Hisham Mohd Anip, said the heat was within normal levels and did not meet the criteria for an extreme heatwave, although temperatures in some areas could reach up to 36°C.
"Most areas in the country are forecast to receive minimal rainfall over the next week due to the formation of a tropical storm in the western Pacific Ocean near the Philippines.
"With the El Niño–Southern Oscillation index predicted to remain at neutral levels through the end of the year, extreme heat is not expected to strike the country during this southwest monsoon season."
He said the latest weather forecast model analysis showed that active tropical cyclones in the western Pacific Ocean and South China Sea were disrupting the country's rainfall patterns.
As a result, he said, cloud seeding in the northern regions of the peninsula, particularly in Kerian, Perak, was not suitable.
"Active tropical cyclones make it unsuitable to carry out cloud seeding.
"However, should there be significant weather changes based on updated forecast models, we will inform the relevant authorities," he added.
Previously, Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said cloud seeding would be carried out to address the issue of dry rice fields caused by declining water levels at Bukit Merah Lake due to the heat.
Hisham said METMalaysia acted as a technical adviser and agency upon receiving an official request from any party wishing to conduct cloud seeding, particularly in water shortage crises such as the one in Kerian.
"METMalaysia will conduct weather forecast analysis using the latest models, taking into account high humidity levels, the presence of towering cumulus clouds in the targeted areas and atmospheric stability.
"These factors will help promote cloud formation and create conditions suitable for generating rain during cloud-seeding operations," he said.