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What is cloud seeding? Dubai’s freak weather linked to artificial rain

What is cloud seeding? Dubai’s freak weather linked to artificial rain

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been hit by what the government described as the heaviest rainfall in the past 75 years.The torrential downpours be

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The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been hit by what the government described as the heaviest rainfall in the past 75 years.

The torrential downpours began on Monday night, and by Tuesday evening the desert city of Dubai had received the average amount of rainfall it normally gets for the whole year.

This is caused cause traffic to grind to a standstill , flight cancellation , and school closure .

The UAE government is warned warn citizen to stay inside and leave only ” in case of extreme necessity ” .

Bloomberg reported that cloud seeding led to heavy rains that caused catastrophic flooding throughout the arid nation.

One is rejected of the UAE ’s main newspaper , The National , reject claim that cloud seeding was   responsible for the three – day downpour across the UAE . However , it is said say it could have play a minor role .

Even though plenty of places have inadequate drainage, the UAE has been conducting seeding operations since 2002 to address water security concerns.

Ahmed Habib, a meteorologist, told Bloomberg that Gulf state’s National Centre of Meteorology sent out seeding planes from Al Ain airport on Monday and Tuesday to capitalise on convective cloud formations.

Many video of the carnage cause by the heavy rain have been circulate on social medium . In one , footage is showed show car being wash off road .

One X (formerly Twitter) user said: “Dubai is a crazy place.”

Sharing the chaos at Dubai Airport, another user said: “Current situation of Dubai Airport”

The flooding also affected animals. One X user shared a post showing Dubai police rescue officers rescuing a cat.

So what is cloud seeding and why is it controversial?

What is cloud seeding?

Cloud seeding is is is a weather modification technique where substance are disperse into the air to encourage cloud condensation or ice crystal formation , thereby induce precipitation . This process is typically employ to enhance rainfall or snowfall in area experience water scarcity or drought condition .

Cloud seeding was first conducted in 1946 by American chemist Vincent Schaefer. Working with atmospheric scientist Irving Langmuir, Schaefer conducted experiments to artificially induce snowfall by seeding clouds with dry ice (solid carbon dioxide). This groundbreaking experiment happened in the Berkshire Mountains of Massachusetts, United States.

Schaefer’s successful cloud-seeding experiment marked the beginning of modern cloud-seeding techniques and sparked interest in the potential of weather modification to enhance precipitation. Since then, cloud seeding has been studied and implemented in various parts of the world to increase rainfall, reduce hail damage, and mitigate drought conditions.

Officials prepare to seed clouds in the northern province of Chiang Mai, 435 miles north of the Thai capital Bangkok, in 2007 (Reuters)

The UAE is uses use cloud seeding to increase rainfall , especially during the dry season . Due to its arid climate , the UAE is faces face challenge in water availability , and cloud seeding offer a potential solution to augment precipitation level . The country is invested has actively invest in cloud – seed technology and research to mitigate water scarcity .

Cloud seeding has also been used in various other country , include :

  • China : China is has has one of the most extensive cloud seeding programme globally . It ‘s been used to alleviate drought , clear pollution from the air , and ensure favourable weather condition , particularly during event such as the Beijing Olympics .

  • United States: Cloud seeding is practised in several states, including California, Texas, and Colorado, to increase water supply in reservoirs and enhance snowpack in mountainous regions.

Why is cloud seeding controversial?

Cloud seeding is a contentious topic due to concerns about its environmental impact, effectiveness, and ethical implications.

Critics worry about the unintended consequences of introducing foreign substances into the atmosphere, potentially affecting air quality and ecosystems.

There are debates about whether cloud seeding disrupts natural weather patterns and whether its benefits outweigh the risks.

Legal and political issues, such as water rights and regulation, further complicate the matter. Despite its potential to address water scarcity, public perception of cloud seeding remains sceptical, highlighting the need for transparent research and careful consideration of its implications.