The UAE’s National Center of Meteorology (NCM) revealed that it has carried out 219 cloud seeding operations across the country in the first half of 2020, using a total of 4,841 flares produced by NCM’s Emirates Weather Enhancement Factory as well as 419 ground generator flares.
NCM’s cloud seeding operations demonstrate the importance placed by the UAE on providing sustainable water resources through encouraging research and innovation in water-related technologies. With an average rainfall of 100 mm per year, the UAE is ranked among the water-stressed countries, and its ambitious rain enhancement program aims to increase the annual precipitation levels in an effort to enhance the country’s water security through augmenting its strategic groundwater resources.
Dr. Abdulla Al-Mandous, director of NCM and president of the Regional Association II (Asia) of WMO, said: “In line with the directives of the UAE’s wise leadership to ensure the safety and sustainability of our water resources, NCM plays a prominent role in carrying out cloud seeding operations using the latest scientific and technological methods.”
He added: “The UAE has been a forerunner in adopting rain enhancement technologies in the region. To achieve the objectives of UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science (UAEREP), NCM has developed a wide network of local and international partners. Furthermore, our state-of-the-art infrastructure, coupled with excellent research and development capabilities have helped the program cement its prominent position in cloud seeding research, and attract top global scientists and research institutions specialized in this important scientific domain. Moreover, the Emirates Weather Enhancement Factory has allowed the center to produce high-quality flares to use in its cloud seeding operations.”
NCM relies in its cloud seeding operations on a sophisticated network of radar installations that monitor the country’s atmosphere around the clock and provide data on clouds. A team of pilots and technicians based at NCM’s dedicated operations room analyze this data, and carry out cloud seeding operations with high accuracy and efficiency if they detect seedable clouds.
The UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science articulates the UAE’s sustained efforts to bring about a profound change in the way we address water stress challenges through leading scientific and research efforts and leveraging innovative technologies. As the rain enhancement science continues to evolve through innovation and effective international collaboration, the UAE demonstrates its inspiring vision and commitment to ensuing global sustainability and water security.
