Cloud seeding ops extended by another two days, targeting the catchment areas of three major dams

KUCHING, Sept 6 2026: Cloud Seeding Operations in Sarawak have been extended until September 7, targeting the catchment areas of the Batang Ai, Bakun, and Murum dams.

Caption: MetMalaysia director-general Khairul Najib Ibrahim  says that rain induced over the last three days is not enough to the desired water levels at the major dams.

Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) Sarawak director Khairul Najib Ibrahim said the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) has approved a two-day extension for the operations, which were originally scheduled to take place from September 3 to 5.

According to him, the operations over the last three days have successfully induced rainfall in several areas, including Murum, Bakun, Serian, and Batang Ai, but the volumes of rain are still insufficient to fill the desired levels of water at the dams.

“Induced rain did fall, but not in large quantities, as most of the cloud formations shifted sideways into the neighboring country due to relatively strong winds at the time.

“Most of the clouds we seeded drifted across the border into the neighboring country, so only a small portion fell over Batang Ai,” he told reporters at the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) base today.

Khairul explained that cloud and weather conditions also influenced operational effectiveness.

Accordingly, he expressed hope that atmospheric conditions during the extended operational period will prove more conducive, enabling cloud seeding efforts to yield better results, particularly over catchment areas of the dams.

“We hope that over the coming two days, our operations will prove successful as we focus on the areas around Batang Ai and dam catchment areas across Sarawak to support our local industries as well as domestic and industrial consumption in Sarawak,” he added.

Also accompanying the operation was Deputy Sarawak State Secretary (Administration) Felicia Tan Ya Hua, who inspected the execution of the  operations and observed the current situation across the involved dam sites.

Meanwhile, Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) Vice President of Hydro Jonny Wong Kwei Ji noted that water levels at the Murum Dam continue to show a declining trend, thus necessitating the continuation of operations.

According to him, both the Murum and Bakun dams are currently approaching Emergency Level 1, whereas the Batang Ai Dam has already reached Emergency Level 3.

He explained that the Batang Ai Dam remains one of the primary targets of this operation due to its critical water level, with a reading of 98.19 meters above sea level (mASL) recorded.

An "Emergency Level 1" or "Critical Level 1" at a dam indicates an early-stage low water warning where storage drops below normal operating thresholds, prompting conservation measures or preparatory actions like cloud seeding.

State of haze emergency in Serian Division will remain in force until further notice, says Uggah

KUCHING, Sept 6 2026: The state of haze emergency in Serian Division, declared on Sept 4, will remain in force until further notice, although the air quality in the division has improved from very hazardous to unhealthy categories.

Caption: Deputy Premier Douglas Uggah says there is a downward trend for the API level in Serian

Deputy Premier Douglas Uggah said as at 12noon today, the Serian air quality monitoring station recorded an API of 185.

“With the API at 185, Serian is at unhealthy category. There is a downward trend for the API level in Serian as we enter the second of three days of monitoring,” Uggah, who is also Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) chairman, said in a statement.

He added the API is primarily affected by the wind direction and sources of hotspots.

“Therefore, SDMC will continue to monitor the haze situation before any recommendation is submitted to Premier Abang Johari Openg and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on the status of emergency in Serian,” Uggah said.

He added that government departments, private sector offices and other workplaces in the affected area, including industries, plantations, construction sites and quarries are allowed to continue its operations, but must take health precautionary measures.

Uggah also said that the data by the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) on Sept 5 showed that there was no hotspot detected in Sarawak, but 184 hotpots detected in Kalimantan.

He said METMalaysia has reported that relatively dry weather conditions are forecast from Sept 6 to 12, 2026.

Woman in Bau dies after losing consciousness after experiencing shortness of breath

BAU, Sept 6 2026:  A 34-year-old woman died after experiencing shortness of breath before falling and becoming unconscious at her home in Kampung Bidi, Jalan Krokong, last night.

Caption:Bau police says 34-year old woman dies loses consciousness after experiencing shortness of breath

According to TV Sarawak (TVS), Bau District police chief Superintendent Mohd Haide Abdul Rahman said the incident occurred at about 9pm when the victim was reported to be experiencing shortness of breath before collapsing in the kitchen of the house.

The victim was then taken by her family members to the Bau Hospital Emergency Unit for treatment, he was quoted as saying today.

"However, the victim was confirmed dead by medical officers at 10.09pm.

"The results of the initial police examination of the body found that there were no suspicious injuries or criminal elements detected," he said in a statement today, according to TVS.

He said, based on information from family members, the victim had a history of health problems and regularly sought follow-up treatment at Bau Hospital.

He said the victim's family also did not suspect any criminal elements in connection with the woman's death.

The victim's body will undergo an autopsy to identify the exact cause of death.

"The case is classified as a Sudden Death Report (SDR) and further investigations are still underway," said Mohd Haide.

The police chief advises the public not to make any speculation that could cause confusion and to give the authorities time to conduct an investigation.-