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Everything you need to know about the UAE’s cloud seeding initiatives
The strategy is part of the government’s bid to address the water needs of the UAE’s growing population
The strategy is part of the government's bid to address the water needs of the UAE's growing population.
Tapping the latest technology: The UAE is one of the first countries in the Middle East to use cloud seeding technology to enhance its sources of water. It has adopted the latest technologies available on a global level, using sophisticated weather radar to monitor the atmosphere around the clock.
Producing water: The Research Programme for Rain Enhancement Science, a move by the UAE Ministry of Presidential Affairs, announced on Twitter that it had conducted eight cloud seeding operations in October, and a total of 6.7 million cubic metres of water had been collected.
Weather modification: Airplanes are fitted with flares and are flown into the base of clouds where these flares are released. The flares contain salts including potassium chloride, sodium chloride and magnesium, which encourages water vapour in the clouds to form droplets heavy enough to fall as rain.
Economic costs: The UN predicts that 14 percent of the world’s population will encounter water scarcity by 2025, particularly in arid countries. Desalinating 1 cubic metre of water from the sea costs about $60, whereas the same amount of water extracted through cloud seeding costs just $1.
Let it rain: According to the Colorado-based National Centre for Atmospheric Research, a medium-sized cumulus cloud can contain approximately 275 million gallons of water. Assuming there is a 5 percent increase in rainfall, the resulting water produced is around 13.75 million gallons.
