Deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the hot spell, caused by the monsoon transition which began on March 29, was expected to continue until May.

“Although this period brings the formation of thunderstorms and heavy rainfall in the western parts of Peninsular Malaysia, as well as Sabah and Sarawak, several areas remain at high risk of experiencing level one and level two heatwaves.

“These conditions have not helped to increase dam water levels, thereby affecting water resources and the agricultural sector, and also impacting the daily lives of the people,” he said in a statement.

The cloud seeding operations will be carried out in collaboration with the Royal Malaysian Air Force and meteorological department.

They will focus on 11 dams, namely the Timah Tasoh dam in Perlis; Ahning, Pedu and Muda dams in Kedah; Temenggor and Bukit Merah dams in Perak; and Lebam, Upper Layang, Lower Layang, Gunung Pulai and Machap dams in Johor.