JOHOR BAHRU, Oct 13 (Bernama) – Cloud seeding operations were carried out in the Johor Bahru area today to induce rainfall and help mitigate the haze, which is expected to persist for another two to three days.
Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) director-general Dr Mohd Hisham Mohd Anip said the operation was conducted after the haze in Johor met the established criteria and weather conditions were favourable for cloud seeding.
He said Johor was not initially included in this week’s cloud seeding schedule, which focused on northern Peninsular Malaysia, but the operation was added in response to the worsening haze situation.
“Under the haze-related procedures, cloud seeding can be carried out when the Air Pollutant Index (API) exceeds 150 for three consecutive days, subject to suitable weather conditions,” he told a press conference after attending the 2026 National Climate Forum at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM).
Mohd Hisham said the current monsoon transition period also offered favourable conditions for cloud seeding, with humid air and a higher likelihood of rain clouds forming.
“During the monsoon transition phase, the air is humid, and the likelihood of thick rain clouds forming is high. Through this operation, we aim to ensure that the targeted areas receive rainfall,” he said.
However, he said the haze was expected to persist in Johor for another two to three days due to winds carrying smoke from fire-affected areas in Kalimantan, Indonesia.
The situation was further complicated by reports that the affected areas had not received rainfall for several months.
He added that haze could recur even after cloud seeding produces rain, as long as the fires continued and winds carried smoke towards Johor.
Mohd Hisham said MetMalaysia expected wind directions to shift to the northeast within one to two weeks, around the end of the month, potentially reducing the amount of haze entering Johor.
As of 9.30 am today, a total of 20 locations nationwide recorded unhealthy air quality readings, including eight in Johor, according to the Department of Environment’s (DOE) Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS) portal.
The eight locations in Johor and their respective API readings were Pasir Gudang (181), Larkin (175), Kota Tinggi (169), Pengerang (166), Batu Pahat (161), Kluang (153), Tangkak (149) and Segamat (133).
– BERNAMA