The National Center of Meteorology (NCM) in the United Arab Emirates denied reports that it conducted cloud seeding operations before heavy storms hit the country, leading to flooding. The organization stated that it did not carry out any seeding operations during the storm that struck on Tuesday and explained that cloud seeding needs to be done in the early stages of cloud development, not during severe thunderstorms. Despite earlier reports suggesting otherwise, the NCM clarified that they did not target any clouds during that period and attributed the heavy rainfall to natural causes.
The UAE experienced its heaviest downpour on record on Tuesday, with over 250 millimeters of rainfall in the Emirate of Al Ain and more than 100 mm in places like Dubai. While the country typically receives between 140 to 200 mm of rainfall annually, the recent storm far exceeded those levels. Cloud seeding, a process used to enhance rainfall, has become a common practice in the UAE in an effort to address water shortages. Since the 1990s, over 1,000 hours of cloud seeding operations have been conducted annually as part of the country’s water management strategy.
The deputy director general of the NCM emphasized the organization’s commitment to safety during cloud seeding operations, stating that they do not conduct seeding during extreme weather events. The UAE’s infrastructure and buildings are designed to withstand minimal rainfall, and the recent unprecedented downpours caused flooding in roads, airports, and halted normal operations in the country. The National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority issued warnings ahead of the storm and urged residents to stay home and follow safety guidelines.
Climate change has contributed to shifts in weather patterns in the UAE, leading to increased rainfall in recent years. A report from the science journal Nature predicts a further 15-30% rise in precipitation in the coming years. Despite these changes, the NCM reiterated that cloud seeding was not a factor in the heavy storms that hit the country on Tuesday. While reports suggested that six pilots had flown missions as part of regular protocol, these missions did not involve cloud seeding. The NCM’s denial of cloud seeding involvement contradicts earlier claims made by a specialist meteorologist regarding the role of cloud seeding in the heavy rainfall event.
