UAE: Research underway to help make artificial clouds

Research is now underway to help make artificial clouds as a new method of generating rainfall in the UAE, said National Center of Meteorology (NCM) director Dr. Omar Al Yazeedi on January 19, 2020.

Speaking at the International Rain Enhancement Forum in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, January 19, Al Yazeedi said experts were considering utilizing solar energy to make artificial clouds, aiming to boost cloud seeding.

"Making our own clouds could be a possibility in the future. Eventually, the aim is to make more clouds and more rain," he said.

Furthermore, the meteorologist said that 'a boost in rainfall is significant in fighting drought due to climate change.'

Over the past weeks, heavy rainfall across parts of the UAE has sparked floodings. However, Al Yazeedi assured that cloud seeding was not to blame for the severe weather as average rainfall in the country has varied significantly over the last three years.

NCM carried out a total of 247 cloud seeding operations in 2019. So far in 2020, a total of 17 operations have been recorded.

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