How did the project begin?
We began to co-operate with high institutes and well-known centres that deal with cloud seeding research. For example, we co-operated with the National Centre for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), both in the US. But since 2006, the cloud seeding operations have been purely managed and operated by the NCMS.
How do you go about making it rain?
First we study the weather charts in the morning, then we decide the occurrence time of convective cloud formation. Once we have this we proceed to brief the pilots about the weather and set them on standby at an exact time – to be ready for the operation to start. In the meantime, we keep watching the radar images. This is very important in order to seize the beginnings of cloud formation. We call this the initial stage of the cloud. Then we target the pilots to seed it from the proper portion with a good updraft – mainly at the bottom of the cloud. The pilots burn the specially prepared flares to spread, or sprinkle, the salt which combined in the flare.
How does this make it rain?
What happens later is that the salt will start to gather the tiny droplets of water in the air into larger ones. When the air has no more resistance to hold them, they will fall as rain.
What are the immediate objectives of such an experiment?
Our objectives are to enhance the amount of rain and increase the duration of precipitation. Are there more experiments planned for the future? Cloud seeding is open to discovery and we aim to study more about it. One of our plans is to seed the cloud from the top, as we are doing now. We have to seed the top and the base with different elements because in the top of the cloud there are ice crystals.
Why is cloud seeding so important to the area?
There is a shortage of water resources in the UAE. We aim to enhance the national resources, groundwater storage and the recycling of fresh water.
Are there any negative effects upon the environment from the chemicals used in cloud seeding?
No, because the elements that we use are under the standard limits.
Do you feel that you are breaking new scientific ground in this field?
It means a lot that we are considered the first country that is implementing this technique in the Gulf. There are only a few countries performing experiments in cloud seeding throughout the world.
What does the future hold for the programme?
The UAE would like to go ahead and try to achieve new methods and new ways of cloud seeding.
