Dubai: The U.A.E. has expanded the ‘cloud seeding’ system, which uses airplanes to sprinkle chemicals in the clouds and make it rain. The authorities clarified that the number of cloud seeding flights has been doubled in six years. These figures were revealed at the International Rain Enhancement Forum held in Abu Dhabi.
Last year 311 cloud seeding was done. 1000 flight hours were used for this. In 2016, there were 177 aircrafts doing cloud seeding, which has now doubled. The UAE has so far invested 66 million dirhams in the project to increase rainfall. Cloud seeding was done to bring rain in the northern emirates till Tuesday.
The Minister of Climate Change and Environment Department Maryam Al Muhairi pointed out the need for more rain. The main objectives of irrigation are to increase rainfall, increase groundwater and improve fresh water supply. She said that rain is an essential factor for food security, environmental protection and tourism.
National Meteorological Center Deputy Director General Omar Al Saeedi said that cloud seeding is only one of the methods adopted by the UAE to ensure water conservation and we must work together to conserve water. The average rainfall in the UAE is only 79 mm in a year. Therefore, he added, there is still a lot of work to be done to ensure water security.
What is Cloud Seeding:
Cloud seeding is the process of producing rain by changing the structure of clouds in the atmosphere. Chemicals are sprayed in clouds by airplanes and rockets. Chemicals such as silver iodide and dry ice (frozen carbon dioxide) are mixed into the cloud at sub-zero temperatures. It is used to make rain or create artificial fog. This function is also used to reduce fogging.
Artificial rain is done through cloud seeding not only to avoid drought but also to reduce air pollution. Expensive cloud seeding is not always successful. It does not rain immediately after cloud seeding. Therefore, it is not possible to identify whether the rain is artificial or real. It is not possible to say how much rain will be received once cloud seeding is done.