It’s cloud seeding that caused rains

dubai — Chances of rain will be little in the next couple of days but expect more rain to come throughout the month as the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) is continually conducting cloud seeding in various parts of the country, a senior official said on Tuesday.

Speaking over the phone with Khaleej Times, Omar Al Yazeedi, NCM director of research and development, said that successful cloud-seeding missions over the last two days brought rains since Monday night until Tuesday morning in some parts of Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. “Every day, from morning till night, we are always on the look out for ‘seedable clouds,” Al Yazeedi said. “The UAE is one of the first countries that is using cloud seeding technology.

“Cloud seeding missions are carried out when there are cloud formations and we have sophisticated radars to spot them.

“We have four planes readily available to fire special salt flares to spread sodium chloride whenever there is an overcast sky to enhance the formation and release of cloud moisture into raindrops,” he explained.

Mercury is also going down. According to the NCM, the lowest

The UAE is one of the first countries using cloud-seeding technology. We have sophisticated radars to spot clouds and carry out cloud seeding missions.” Omar Al Yazeedi, R&D director, NCM

temperature on Tuesday was 3.8 degrees Celsius on Jebal Jais at 3.45am. The minimum temperatures expected until Thursday will be between 11°C and 17°C in coastal areas, 7°C to 15°C in internal areas, and 5°C to 11°C in mountainous areas.

“The temperature is expected to drop over the next couple of days. We encourage everyone to take advantage of the fine weather and enjoy the rain. But, of course, safety is a priority — motorists should drive carefully and should stay away from valleys or wadis where flash floods might occur and everyone should be ready by carrying umbrellas,” Al Yazeedi told Khaleej Times.

Meanwhile, scattered rains are expected across the country until Wednesday evening; the amount of clouds will increase over scattered areas of the country, associated with convective clouds and rainfall of different intensity, according to an NCM forecast.

Photos by Dhes Handumon and M. Sajjad A motorcyclist rides through a flooded street in Al Quoz on Tuesday. —

A street scene is reflected in a rain water pond that formed in a parking lot in Al Mahatta area, Sharjah, after the rains on Monday.

Men working on the Dubai Metro’s Expo 2020 route project clear rain water from a flooded street in Discovery Gardens.

Puddles of water have formed on various roads, with motorists having to take extra care while driving through.