ALOR STAR: The cloud seeding operation that began on Monday has improved water inflow into the Muda Dam in Sik, with 2mm of rain recorded at the water catchment site.
The Muda Agricultural Development Authority (Mada) said an initial assessment showed that water inflow into the Muda Dam had improved yesterday compared with the results of previous cloud seeding operations.
"On July 30, the rain reading station at the Muda Dam recorded 2mm of rainfall at the water catchment area after the cloud seeding operation.
"Based on an assessment yesterday, the water inflow into the Muda Dam has improved by 1,037 acre feet, compared with the average daily water inflow of 416 acre feet this month.
"Mada is still assessing the effectiveness of the cloud seeding operation as it will continue today."
Mada, which supervises Kedah's three main dams, said the combined water reserve of the Muda, Pedu and Ahning dams stood at 44.14 per cent today.
"Up to July 31, the combined water reserve of all three dams is 539,786 acre feet.
"The Pedu Dam's water reserve stands at 39.71 per cent, Muda Dam is at 8.04 per cent and Ahning Dam is at 81.76 per cent."
It said up to today, padi planting in areas under Mada reached 99.3 per cent, involving 99,963.9ha of padi fields.
"The remaining irrigation needs for the year's first padi planting season is estimated at 229,216sq ft.
"Mada has begun releasing water at 3,100sq ft per second from the Pedu Dam to meet irrigation, domestic and industry demand."
It said the water reserve was enough to meet the demand.