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Dubai invented artificial rain to combat the country's incredibly high temperatures

Tuesday, 09/04/2024, 14:26 (GMT+7)

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has pioneered a technique called cloud seeding to increase rainfall in this high-temperature region.

Dubai, known for its extreme temperatures, has come up with an innovative solution to combat the relentless heat: artificial rain

They use a technique called cloud seeding to increase the amount of rain. This helps to cool down the city and provide more water.

It's a clever solution to combat the high temperatures and lack of rainfall in the country.

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Dubai combats heat with artificial rain through cloud seeding for cooling and water supply. Image Credit: Getty

Dubai invented artificial rain to combat the country's incredibly high temperatures

The UAE, particularly cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi, faces a challenging climate with little annual rainfall and soaring temperatures that often surpass 40 degrees Celsius.

In 2023, temperatures even reached up to 50 degrees Celsius.

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UAE, including Dubai and Abu Dhabi, faces little rainfall and extreme temperatures up to 50 degrees Celsius. Image Credit: Getty

Therefore, to address the water scarcity issue and decrease the heat, the UAE government has implemented a cloud-seeding program.

Contrary to some misconceptions, cloud seeding does not create clouds out of thin air.

The technique relies on available clouds for its effectiveness.

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The UAE government uses cloud seeding to tackle water scarcity and reduce heat. Image Credit: Getty

The process is still in development and has undergone extensive research and collaboration with organizations like NASA and the National Centre for Atmospheric Research in the United States.

The UAE's National Centre for Meteorology has pioneered this endeavor.

During the year 2022, around 311 cloud-seeding operations were carried out by the country, totaling almost 1,000 hours of flying.

By releasing salt flares into the clouds, raindrop formation is stimulated, thereby enhancing the likelihood of rainfall.

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In 2022, 311 cloud-seeding missions were flown, releasing salt flares to encourage rainfall. Image Credit: Getty

The benefits of this artificial rain surpass immediate relief from high temperatures. 

Rain enhancement plays a crucial role in addressing water security, providing more groundwater, and improving freshwater supplies.

Furthermore, this method has far-reaching impacts on various sectors, including food security, tourism, and weather moderation.

The UAE has integrated it as one of the main parts of its innovation strategy after recognizing the significance of rain enhancement.

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Rain enhancement is crucial for water security, groundwater, and freshwater supply improvement with wide-ranging impacts on various sectors. Image Credit: Getty

Making more rain through cloud seeding also helps to reduce the impacts of climate change. 

It creates a nicer environment and better conditions, which is good for tourism in the UAE. It also improves the lives of people living there and those who visit the country.

Dubai's artificial rain is also an inspiration for other regions grappling with similar climatic conditions.