In the United Arab Emirates, a senior official said a new cloud seeding method that increases its effectiveness several times will soon be used. “The project has reached its final phase where we will start using it for research purposes. It is a novel material that emerged as a result of research by the Khalifa University in Abu Dhabi. The novel material enhances seeding efficiency up to 3 times. In addition, we are close to its commercialization. This material will be manufactured here in the United Arab Emirates,” said Alya Al Mazroui, director of the EAU Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science at the National Center for Meteorology (NCM).
The official emphasized and highlighted the great importance of cloud seeding, clarifying that rain improvement initiatives help increase rainfall by up to 25%.
For nearly 2 decades, the EAU has successfully used cloud seeding to address water scarcity. Since 2015, the country has tried different technologies to improve rainfall, including the possibility of using drones. Every year the country registers an average of 100 mm of precipitation. However, in recent times, the intensity of the rains has gradually increased. In July this year, the continuous rains broke a 27-year record, with 255.2 mm of water.
The Emirates Herald revealed in an interview published on Tuesday that the EAU always pushes for strong collaboration between different scientific communities in different countries, including Arab nations.
During the 24th edition of the Water, Energy, Technology and Environment (Wetex) Exhibition, held last week, the NCM displayed a series of initiatives and programs in terms of rain enhancement at the exhibition. In addition, it provided visitors with an insight into the Centre’s leading role in supporting eleven research projects that received grants during the 4 cycles of the programme.
Al Mazroui announced that during the next International Forum for Rain Improvement in January 2023, the Center will report the result of some projects and the progress made in others to improve rain. Published by the Emirates Herald, a news and information agency.