Malaysia Deploys Cloud Seeding to Boost Rainfall in Northern Dam Catchments
Malaysia has reported early success from cloud seeding operations aimed at increasing rainfall over key dam catchment areas in the northern states of Kedah and Perlis. The intervention, part of a broader government response to dry weather conditions affecting water supply, produced measurable rainfall according to monitoring data. As reported in a Bernama news report, authorities are continuing the operation with additional flights targeting reservoirs in Perak.
The effort is coordinated under the National Disaster Management Committee (JPBP) and focuses on strengthening water availability for both public supply and agriculture. Officials say the programme combines meteorological monitoring with aviation capabilities to trigger rainfall in areas experiencing prolonged dry conditions.
Rainfall recorded after operations in Kedah and Perlis
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said rainfall was recorded soon after the operation on 7 April 2026. In Perlis, observation stations recorded between 10 millimetres (mm) and 45 mm of rainfall between 7 pm and 8 pm. In Kedah, rainfall ranged from 6 mm to 57.4 mm between 7 pm and 10 pm.
According to the Malaysian Meteorological Department’s MyRAE monitoring system, the distribution of rainfall across the affected areas indicated that atmospheric conditions were suitable for cloud seeding activities.
“This success proves that the implementation of OPA under suitable atmospheric conditions is highly effective in addressing water shortages in critical catchment areas.” — Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia
He added that the operation serves as an intervention to increase rainfall distribution in dam catchment areas that have experienced reduced precipitation in recent weeks.
Operations target reservoirs in four states
The cloud seeding programme ran from 6 April to 8 April and focused on 11 major dams classified under alert, warning or critical levels. These include reservoirs in Perak, Kedah and Perlis, as well as one location in Johor in southern Peninsular Malaysia.
Flights on 7 April targeted the catchment areas of Muda, Pedu and Ahning dams in Kedah and Timah Tasoh dam in Perlis. Authorities confirmed that further operations will continue, with aircraft focusing on the Temenggor and Bukit Merah dam catchments in Perak.
Aircraft-based seeding under favourable weather conditions
The operation used a C130 Hercules aircraft from the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) to disperse salt-based solutions into towering cumulus cloud formations. The technique encourages cloud droplets to combine and form rainfall when atmospheric conditions are favourable.
Meteorological analysis during the operation detected active convective clouds and unstable atmospheric conditions across the target areas. High moisture levels in the atmosphere also helped support the development of rain clouds after the seeding process.
Malaysia’s aviation capabilities play an important operational role in such missions, reflecting the broader growth of the country’s aerospace sector, including initiatives highlighted in Selangor’s advanced aerospace manufacturing ecosystem and development plans for the Selangor Aero Park.
Science-based approach to water security
Ahmad Zahid said the coordinated response demonstrates how preparedness and science-led interventions can help governments manage weather variability and climate-related risks.
The government plans to continue strengthening such proactive measures to protect national water security, support agricultural production and safeguard public well-being as weather patterns become increasingly uncertain.
