CLOUD-seeding operations targeting two areas in Johor are being carried out in an effort to induce rainfall and reduce haze, as unhealthy air quality persisted in 22 locations nationwide this morning.
Johor health and environment committee chairman Ling Tian Soon said the 61st cloud-seeding mission focused on the areas between Yong Peng and Machap, and Mersing and Kota Tinggi.
The operation used a Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) C-130 Hercules aircraft carrying eight tonnes of sodium chloride, or salt, which departed from the Subang Air Base in Selangor.
Ling said the mission aimed to stimulate rainfall to reduce haze particle concentrations and improve air quality for Johor residents.
“Its purpose is to stimulate rainfall, which is expected to help reduce the concentration of haze particles and, in turn, improve air quality,” he said in a statement.
He joined the flight alongside personnel from the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia), the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma), the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) and the RMAF's No. 20 Squadron, known as “The Rainmaker”.
Ling said the operation required careful planning, inter-agency coordination and suitable weather conditions.
Meanwhile, data from the Malaysian Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS) showed Bukit Rambai in Melaka recording the highest API reading nationwide at 174 as of 8am.
Bandaraya Melaka recorded 162, followed by Nilai in Negeri Sembilan at 161, Cheras in Kuala Lumpur at 160 and Batu Muda at 159.
In Selangor, five areas recorded unhealthy air quality, led by Johan Setia at 161, followed by Banting at 160, Klang at 159, and Petaling Jaya and Shah Alam at 158 each. Kuala Selangor was the only location in the state with moderate air quality, recording 84.
Other locations with unhealthy readings included Putrajaya and Seremban at 158 each, Batu Pahat at 157, Port Dickson and Larkin at 155 each, and Pasir Gudang at 152.
Nationwide, 38 locations recorded moderate air quality, while eight registered good readings.
An API reading of zero to 50 indicates good air quality, 51 to 100 moderate, 101 to 200 unhealthy, 201 to 300 very unhealthy, and above 300 hazardous. - October 21, 2026