Following the recent fire in several parts of Johor, the state government is seeking the aid of cloud seeding to ease humidity in the impacted areas and enhance the efficacy of the ongoing firefighting efforts.
According to Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, the state government views the fire incidents as a result of the prolonged hot and dry weather without rain for more than 25 days as a serious matter.
300 personnel from BOMBA, APM, PDRM, JPS, DOE, PBT, JKR and related agencies have been deployed and working non-stop for 24 hours at the three main areas, namely Bakri Batu 13 & 14, Muar, Bio-Desaru, Tanjung Balau, and Sungai Linau, Simpang Renggam, that are yet to be fully extinguished.
“I have also instructed the Deputy Secretary to the Johor Government (Management) and Deputy Chairman of the Johor State Disaster Management Committee to chair the Johor State Fire Special Taskforce meeting together with the District Disaster Chairmen, to coordinate the actions of all agencies involved, streamline logistical requirements, expedite asset mobilisation and ensure that operational monitoring runs in an integrated and continuous manner until the situation is fully restored,” he said in a Facebook statement.
In order to prevent underground fires (peat fire) from spreading, the state government has mandated the construction of firebreaks, the aggressive use of high-pressure pumps, and the implementation of total flooding techniques.
The farm’s drainage system and storage tanks were continuously pumped water from neighbouring sources as part of the immediate mobilisation of additional water supplies.
In order to lessen reliance on shuttle water delivery, the drainage pump system was fully operational, and firebreak construction was accelerated as a control measure. The Johor State Disaster Fund paid for all operational expenses.
