Dubai Weather Chaos: How UAE’s Artificial Rain Creation Linked to Dubai Rain and Floods

Cloud seeding, a form of weather modification aimed at enhancing precipitation, has the potential to address water scarcity issues, particularly in arid regions such as the United Arab Emirates (UAE). With annual rainfall averaging less than 200 millimetres and soaring temperatures during the summer, the UAE’s water resources are under immense pressure, compounded by its heavy reliance on groundwater sources.

To combat this pressing issue, the UAE pioneered innovative solutions, including the use of cloud seeding to generate artificial rain. This process involves identifying suitable clouds for seeding based on precipitation patterns, followed by deploying specialized aircraft equipped with hygroscopic flares containing salt material components to stimulate cloud growth and augment rainfall.

The UAE’s Rain Enhancement Program (UAEREP), managed by the Emirates’ National Centre of Meteorology (NCM), spearheads the cloud seeding program. The NCM has established a national network of automatic weather stations for weather monitoring and developed its own seeding agent known as nano material, consisting of fine salt coated with titanium oxide.

This approach aims to ensure the safety and sustainability of its operations and refrains from using harmful chemicals, unlike some other countries’ cloud seeding programs that utilize silver iodide, a crystal-like material that has raised environmental concerns. Despite the potential benefits of cloud seeding, concerns have been raised about its impact.

Some individuals have cautioned against “tinkering” with nature, suggesting that exceptional weather conditions, such as storms and heavy rainfall, are nature’s way of “pushing back” and warning against meddling with the natural order of things. In conclusion, while cloud seeding holds promise for addressing water scarcity issues, it is essential to consider and address concerns about its potential impact on the environment and natural weather patterns.

Ongoing research and experimentation with alternative seeding agents, such as the UAE’s nano material, contribute to ensuring the effectiveness and sustainability of cloud seeding programs.