One of the driest places on Earth, receiving only a handful of rain in an year & where the existing groundwater resources are predicted to last just 15 years is our UAE.

To augment rainfall, cloud seeding has traditionally been used since past 50 years but this is an old technology. With new advancements in offing the Ministry of Presidential Affairs of the UAE has launched an ambitious competition to identify, study & encourage upto 5 projects by reserachers which may result in increased rainfall. This has a prize money of US$5 Million.

UAE is making rapid strides in the era of technology & infrastructure but it keeps a constant eye on the Environment & sustainability. It is the pioneeer in many energy saving ideas. In the context increasing the rainfall will increase agriculture production & groundwater resources.

The encouraging part of this competition is that 325 scientists and researcheres attached with 151 organisations have applied to participate. Friends, remember that this will help not only the UAE but the benefits shall be shared by all the world. The water security problem may be solved & yet again UAE will emerge as a leader in this field also. Out of this large number of participants UAE research programme for rainfall enhancement has taken 78 pre proposals.

The results will be announced on 01-Jun-2015 & sucessful candidates will be required to submit full proposals & will get a total grant of US$5 Million over a three year period.

Keep the fingers crossed & hope for the best.

Thanks for reading..

Source: The National, WAM, Pic. courtesy: The National