He said the State Government would consider the cloud seeding method if the need arises. "So far, there is no need. Only if the current situation warrants us to opt for the method, then the State Cabinet will consider the move.
"But in future, I foresee that there will be a need for more water containment areas or dams to contain extra water during floods so that we could use it during the dry season like now. Like in Kinabatangan and Beaufort that are flood-prone areas, the extra water from the floods had to be flushed out to the sea when in fact, it could be useful for Sabah during droughts," Yahya said.
He said this to reporters after presenting cash contributions to 43 families who lost their homes in a fire at Kg. Sri Pandan on Feb 26, at the village headman's house, Hj. Matlan Hj. Awg Damit in Putatan, near here.
On Tuesday, the Daily Express reported that the Meteorological Department would only carry out cloud seeding if there was a request from the State Government.
"Only our headquarters can perform cloud seeding and as far as they are concerned, it will only be done if the State Government requests for it.
So far, we haven't received any," said its Director Abdul Malik Tusin.
Readers had said that it may be wise to carry out cloud seeding now rather than later when there are even less clouds during prolonged period of drought.
Yahya, who is also Agriculture and Food Industry Minister, said his Ministry had received no complaints from paddy planters in Sabah about water supply problems for their land.
He received a report on Monday that the production of local honey has gone down as the trees are not producing flowers for the bees to get their nectar to make honey.
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