The government will carry out cloud seeding operations in the catchment area of the Bukit Merah dam in Semanggol, Kerian district in what is hoped to be a solution to overcome dry conditions in the area and help irrigate 19,508ha of drying padi fields there.

Agriculture and Food Industry Minister Ronald Kiandee said the areas affected were the Kerian Integrated Agricultural Development (IADA) and part of IADA in Sungai Acheh, Penang covering 1,267ha.

“Sub-sectors that will also benefit, apart from 8,889 farmers...