Public wrong about M'sia experiencing drought

KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 18, 2014): The public is wrong about Malaysia experiencing a drought with temperature reaching between 34 and 36 degrees Celsius in most states in the peninsula, said Meteorological Department deputy director-general (strategy and technical) Dr Rosaidi Che Abas.
He said from the department's observation, the warm and dry weather was a normal occurrence in January and February and not a drought.
"If a drought were to occur, the department will issue a warning to the public as a precautionary measure," he told Bernama today.
Asked why cloud seeding had not been done to induce rain, he said there was no necessity for it yet as the current dry spell was not yet critical like last year.
"However, we are ready to do it if there is a need for it as requested," he said.
Meanwhile, Drainage and Irrigation Department's Water Resources Management and Hydrology Division said the water level in all reservoirs manned by the department had dropped below the normal level since the middle of last month.
Its water resource development unit assistant director Nor Asiken Alias said however, the drop was still above the minimum level and the National Security Council would be kept updated on any further decline. – Bernama