Oil industry cause of heavy rain

Oil industry cause of heavy rain
Opinion Hunter (Letter to Editor)

Source: Malaysiakini, Nov 17, 06


With regards to the heavy rainfall currently being experienced over the
west coast of our country, I would like to invite the Meteorological
Department to do a little research and explore on why this unexpected
change to the atmospherics has gained ground.

Way back in the late 70s the east coast had nothing to be proud of. Ever
year-end, it becomes a sad contemplation on the west coast that everybody
here is sleeping on roof tops due to floods.

Then, in the early 80s the petroleum (exploration) industry began to sprout
in earnest in the east coast. Overnight, quake-proof drilling platforms
were raised and crude oil and natural gas siphoned out. These platforms
have burly flares attached to each one of them. Each flare emits or shoots
up thousands of BTUs (thermal or heat energy) into the upper atmosphere and
this has been going now for umpteen years.

This includes those installed at the downstream of plants at Kerteh Cukai
and Kuantan. Simply put, these high concentration of flares all over the
South China Sea and on land has actually heated up the atmosphere above
them over the years. This has probably forced the rain clouds - that
usually lingered at kite-flying level during the monsoon season of the 80s
- to rise higher than usual.

Now, the peninsula's Main Range, with Gunung Tahan being the highest peak,
has been the sole defender against any swarming of monsoon winds and clouds
to the west coast. But with the flares on the east coast ongoing for so
many years, the lower atmosphere is now filled with warm temperatures.

This may have caused the assemblage ground for rain clouds to be lifted to
a much higher level than normal. With cold winds gushing in, this causes
the clouds to accelerate faster than usual. At a higher altitude now due to
the rising warm air below, these rain clouds stride over the Main Range and
subsequently drenches the west coast with its wet load.

Today, whilst the west coast avariciously enjoys the benefits and profits
from the petroleum industry, it should also get pleasure from the loads of
rainfall compliments of the east coast's heavens. Meanwhile, or until the
depletion of oil and gas in this region, the people of Terengganu, in
particular, will continue to enjoy their Monsoon Cup and 'kropok lekor' at
unusual places where once snakes and crocodiles romped during this time of
the year.