UAE weather bureau looks at using UAVs to enhance rainfall in country

The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) has launched a research campaign aimed at enhancing rainfall in the UAE.

According to NCM, they are using advanced Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) equipped with electric charge emission instruments and customised sensors that can modify the behaviour of cloud droplets.

Taking place at SANAD Academy, the innovative method is tested on clear air days.

Once conditions permit, tests will be carried out during slightly foggy conditions as the presence of dust particles is expected to lead to more highly charged conditions.

For her part, Alya Al Mazroui, Director of the UAE Research Programme for Rain Enhancement Science, said, "Through our partnerships with prominent scientists and research institutions across the globe, the programme is accelerating the development of practical innovative solutions in the field of rain enhancement science."

The nature of charge emission technology uses a small and lightweight platform to deliver charge into the clouds instead of traditional cloud seeding payloads that require much larger aircraft.

Scientists involved in the study have also clarified that the method does not involve the emission of any solid particles into clouds such as silver iodide or salt.