Cloud-Seeding Operations A recent publication in the Nature Research journal npj Climate and Atmospheric Science has disclosed the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) significant achievement—generating a remarkable 15% increase in annual rainfall through advanced cloud-seeding operations.
Research Insights from UAEREP
Conducted by the UAE Research Programme for Rain Enhancement Science (UAEREP), the study reports an additional 168-838 million cubic meters of rainfall annually. This research showcases the notable contribution of cloud-seeding to the usable water volume, falling within the range of 84-419 million cubic meters.
Strategic Investments and Operational Scale: Cloud-Seeding Operations
Director of UAEREP, Alya Al Mazroui, highlights the global recognition of the UAE’s technological strides in rain enhancement research. The cloud-seeding operations, costing approximately Dh29,000 (US$8,000) per flight hour, signify the government’s commitment, with over 900 hours of annual cloud-seeding missions.
UAEREP’s Global Initiative
Launched by the Ministry of Presidential Affairs and managed by the National Centre of Meteorology, UAEREP aims to stimulate rain enhancement research globally. Al Mazroui emphasizes the potential applications of these advancements on a worldwide scale.
Meticulous Cloud-Seeding Process
Cloud seeding in the UAE involves detailed planning and execution by meteorologists and specialists from the National Centre of Meteorology. The process spans various stages, including weather analysis, planning, execution, and monitoring.
Sustainable Solutions to Climate Change
The cloud-seeding initiative, detailed in the Nature paper, offers a substantial prospect for rainfall augmentation as a practical solution to address climate change impacts on water and food security. The article also underlines the significant cost benefit compared to desalination, with the cost per unit of harvested seeded rainfall ranging from US$0.01 to US$0.04 per cubic meter.
These revelations position the UAE at the forefront of sustainable water solutions and garner global interest in rain enhancement research.
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