KOTA KINABALU: Sebatik Dam is back in operation after a cloud-seeding operation was carried out over two days in the east coast Tawau district.Deputy Chief Minister III Datuk Shahelmey Yahya said the water treatment plant at the dam is now operating at a “minimal” level following rainfall from the cloud- seeding operation.

       Cloud seeding was also carried out over Papar and Lahad Datu districts from March 28.

       “We are still assessing if it rained over the water catchments.“But in Sebatik, the dam received some rainfall and can now function, producing 0.3mil litres per day.“This is a good sign because besides Papar, Sebatik is one of the areas in Sabah that has been dry since the beginning of the year,” he said.

       Shahelmey added that the state hopes that cloud seeding would produce sufficient rainfall in the water catchment areas.Speaking to reporters after breaking fast with orphans from the As-Sakinah Orphanage here, Shahelmey said they hoped for rain over Papar to restart the water treatment plant at Limbahau.

       The Limbahau plant was shut down after seawater went upstream due to the river drying up, he said.

       “If the catchments in Papar receive rainfall, this will allow the river water flow to push back the sea water,” said Shahelmey, who is also the state Works Minister.

       Water distribution through tankers will continue in all affected districts in the state, he added.

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       Based on a briefing by the Meteorological Department to the state cabinet, Shahelmey said they are hopeful for rain by the middle of April with the setting in of the inter-monsoon.