Ankara: Malaysia has commenced a three-day cloud-seeding initiative in eastern Sarawak to address diminishing dam water levels and mitigate haze in the area. The operation, which began on Thursday, is focused on the Batang Ai, Bakun, and Murum hydroelectric dams, with additional flights scheduled over vital catchment areas throughout the state.

According to Anadolu Agency, Sarawak Deputy Prime Minister Douglas Uggah Embas highlighted that the initiative aims to boost reservoir levels in anticipation of potentially more severe heat and dry conditions in October. This proactive measure coincides with neighboring Indonesia experiencing an extended dry season exacerbated by El Nino, leading to conditions that are conducive to wildfires in regions such as Sumatra and Kalimantan.

Sarawak, situated on Borneo island, shares a land border with Indonesia's Kalimantan provinces. In Indonesia, nearly 95,000 hectares were reported to have burned in July alone, with the Forestry Ministry estimating a total of approximately 202,000 hectares affected nationwide by the end of July.

In a collaborative effort, Malaysia has also sought permission from Jakarta to conduct cloud-seeding operations within Indonesian airspace as both nations work to address the haze problem linked to regional fires. Cloud seeding involves the dispersion of salt-based particles into suitable clouds to encourage rainfall, aiding in replenishing water supplies and reducing airborne pollutants.