Cloud seeding operations were carried out today, the 13th of October 2026 in Johor Bahru to bring rain and reduce the haze, which is expected to persist for an extra two to three days.
According to Dr Mohd Hisham Mohd Anip, Director-General of the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia), the operation was carried out after Johor’s haze index satisfied the required standards, and the weather was suitable for cloud seeding.
He claimed that the operation was added in response to the rising haze issue, even though Johor was not originally part of this week’s cloud seeding timetable, which concentrated on northern Peninsular Malaysia.
“Under the haze-related procedures, cloud seeding can be carried out when the Air Pollutant Index (API) exceeds 150 for three consecutive days, subject to suitable weather conditions,” he said in a press conference after attending the 2026 National Climate Forum at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM).
Bernama reported that Mohd Hisham stated that the current monsoon transition period also offered favourable conditions for cloud seeding, with humid air and a higher likelihood of rain clouds forming.
“During the monsoon transition phase, the air is humid, and the likelihood of thick rain clouds forming is high. Through this operation, we aim to ensure that the targeted areas receive rainfall,” he said.
The haze, however, was expected to persist in Johor for another two to three days due to winds carrying smoke from fire-affected areas in Kalimantan, Indonesia, further complicated by reports that the affected areas had not received rainfall for several months.
As long as the fires persisted and winds transported smoke toward Johor, he continued, haze might return even after cloud seeding delivers rain.
According to Mohd Hisham, MetMalaysia anticipated that winds would change towards Northeast in one to two weeks; by end of the month, which would lessen the amount of haze that enters Johor.
According to the Department of Environment’s (DOE) Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS) portal, as of 9.30 am on 13th October 2026, bad air quality measurements were recorded at 20 places statewide, including eight in Johor – Pasir Gudang (181), Larkin (175), Kota Tinggi (169), Pengerang (166), Batu Pahat (161), Kluang (153), Tangkak (149), and Segamat (133).
