Video: Rains hit UAE; #cloud_seeding, says NCM

Rains of different intensities hit Abu Dhabi on Saturday, February 20.

The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) reported rains over Ruwais, Umm Al Ashtan, Jebel Dhanna, Baniyas, Zirku Island and Arzanah Island.

The NCM used #cloud_seeding as it alerted residents about the rains on social media.

Social media channel Storm Centre posted a video of the rain falling in Al Dhafra.

 

 

 

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Abu Dhabi residents had woken up to a thick fog on Saturday. The NCM had also forecast rains for the weekend.

In its five-day forecast, the NCM has predicted rains in some areas, with an increase in temperature.

Cloud seeding

With an average rainfall of 100 mm per year, the UAE is ranked among the water stressed countries.

Its ambitious rain enhancement programme aims to increase the annual precipitation levels to boost groundwater resources.

Cloud seeding operations rely on a sophisticated network of radars that monitor the country's atmosphere around the clock.

A team of pilots and technicians based at the NCM's dedicated operations room analyse this data, and carry out cloud seeding operations if they detect seedable clouds.