The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) has clarified that no cloud-seeding missions were carried out on Tuesday, despite the UAE experiencing torrential rains that disrupted life across the country. Speaking to Khaleej Times, Dr. Ahmed Habib of the NCM stated, “During extreme weather conditions, no cloud-seeding is done.” He further dismissed claims circulating on the internet, adding, “No pilots were dispatched for seeding operations in this period.”
The UAE, known for its arid climate, witnessed an extraordinary downpour on Tuesday, marking its heaviest rainfall in 75 years. However, despite regular cloud-seeding operations conducted throughout the year, such missions are suspended during severe storms or when there’s a high risk of lightning due to safety concerns and practical limitations.
Dr. Habib explained that clouds are typically targeted with salt flares during their early formation, before precipitation. However, in the case of severe thunderstorms, it becomes difficult and unsafe to carry out such operations.
With significant parts of the country experiencing heavy rainfall, many residents grappled with flooded roads, homes, airports, and malls. The NCM reported that the highest amount of rainfall was recorded in Al Ain’s Khatm Al Shakla area, with 254mm of rain in less than 24 hours.
Dr. Habib noted that a downpour of this magnitude hasn’t been seen since the late 1940s in Sharjah, with the current event standing out due to its wider coverage across the region.
Explaining the cause of the record rain, Dr. Habib stated, “The presence of convective clouds forming over the UAE triggered a series of weather events.” He elaborated, saying warm, moist air masses originating from the Arabian Sea flowed towards Oman and the UAE, intensifying humidity levels and leading to unstable weather conditions.
However, Dr. Habib assured that the worst was over, with the country expected to experience only light showers as the low-pressure system moves eastward. He added, “We are gradually moving towards stable weather starting from tonight, with chances of fog formation in the internal parts of the UAE.”