UAE

A Closer Look: Can cloud seeding help reduce pollution in Pakistan?

The National speaks to reporter Sarwat Nasir

The National

December 21, 2023

  • English
  • Arabic

A Closer Look is The National's show where we take an in-depth look at one of the main stories of the week.

The UAE has helped the Pakistani city of Lahore with cloud-seeding flights to help fight against pollution.

The UAE is a pioneer in the weather modification technique having carried out thousands of flights over the years in the drive to encourage rainfall.

But how does firing salt flares into clouds help reduce harmful particles in the air?

Here, host Sarah Forster speaks to journalist Sarwat Nasir about how cloud seeding can help to combat pollution.

Read more

UAE aids Lahore with cloud-seeding flights to combat city's smog

UAE doubles number of cloud-seeding flights in six years in bid to boost rainfall

Cloud seeding in the UAE – in pictures

  • Hygroscopic (water-attracting) salt flares are attached to an aircraft at Al Ain International Airport before a cloud-seeding flight operated by the National Centre of Meteorology. The UAE has been leading the effort to seed clouds and increase precipitation, which remains at less than 100 millimetres a year on average. All photos by Reuters
    Hygroscopic (water-attracting) salt flares are attached to an aircraft at Al Ain International Airport before a cloud-seeding flight operated by the National Centre of Meteorology. The UAE has been leading the effort to seed clouds and increase precipitation, which remains at less than 100 millimetres a year on average. All photos by Reuters
  • Pilot Michael Anstis writes a weather report before the cloud-seeding flight from Al Ain.
    Pilot Michael Anstis writes a weather report before the cloud-seeding flight from Al Ain.
  • An airport employee closes an aircraft door, with hygroscopic salt flares seen in the background, before the cloud-seeding flight.
    An airport employee closes an aircraft door, with hygroscopic salt flares seen in the background, before the cloud-seeding flight.
  • Pilots Michael Anstis and Ahmed Al Jaberi receive instructions before the flight.
    Pilots Michael Anstis and Ahmed Al Jaberi receive instructions before the flight.
  • The control room at the National Centre of Meteorology in Abu Dhabi.
    The control room at the National Centre of Meteorology in Abu Dhabi.
  • An explanatory hologram of the cloud-seeding process in the National Centre of Meteorology control room in Abu Dhabi.
    An explanatory hologram of the cloud-seeding process in the National Centre of Meteorology control room in Abu Dhabi.
  • Cloud-seeding flares in the National Centre of Meteorology control room.
    Cloud-seeding flares in the National Centre of Meteorology control room.
  • Hygroscopic salt flares are attached to an aircraft during a cloud-seeding flight between Al Ain and Al Hayer. At 9,000 feet above sea level, the plane releases the flares into the most promising white clouds, hoping to trigger rainfall.
    Hygroscopic salt flares are attached to an aircraft during a cloud-seeding flight between Al Ain and Al Hayer. At 9,000 feet above sea level, the plane releases the flares into the most promising white clouds, hoping to trigger rainfall.
  • Hygroscopic salt flares are attached to an aircraft during a cloud-seeding flight. Scientists in Abu Dhabi combine shooting the flares with releasing salt nanoparticles, a newer technology, into the clouds to stimulate and accelerate the condensation process and hopefully produce droplets big enough to then fall as rain.
    Hygroscopic salt flares are attached to an aircraft during a cloud-seeding flight. Scientists in Abu Dhabi combine shooting the flares with releasing salt nanoparticles, a newer technology, into the clouds to stimulate and accelerate the condensation process and hopefully produce droplets big enough to then fall as rain.
  • Flares are released during a cloud-seeding flight between Al Ain and Al Hayer.
    Flares are released during a cloud-seeding flight between Al Ain and Al Hayer.
  • Employees walk towards a hangar at Al Ain International Airport after a cloud-seeding flight.
    Employees walk towards a hangar at Al Ain International Airport after a cloud-seeding flight.
On Women's Day

The End of Loneliness
Benedict Wells
Translated from the German by Charlotte Collins
Sceptre

Winners

Best Men's Player of the Year: Kylian Mbappe (PSG)

Maradona Award for Best Goal Scorer of the Year: Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)

TikTok Fans’ Player of the Year: Robert Lewandowski

Top Goal Scorer of All Time: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)

Best Women's Player of the Year: Alexia Putellas (Barcelona)

Best Men's Club of the Year: Chelsea

Best Women's Club of the Year: Barcelona

Best Defender of the Year: Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus/Italy)

Best Goalkeeper of the Year: Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG/Italy)

Best Coach of the Year: Roberto Mancini (Italy)

Best National Team of the Year: Italy 

Best Agent of the Year: Federico Pastorello

Best Sporting Director of the Year: Txiki Begiristain (Manchester City)

Player Career Award: Ronaldinho

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Global state-owned investor ranking by size

1.

United States

2.

China

3.

UAE

4.

Japan

5

Norway

6.

Canada

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Singapore

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Australia

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Saudi Arabia

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South Korea
360Vuz PROFILE

Date started: January 2017
Founder: Khaled Zaatarah 
Based: Dubai and Los Angeles
Sector: Technology 
Size: 21 employees
Funding: $7 million 
Investors: Shorooq Partners, KBW Ventures, Vision Ventures, Hala Ventures, 500Startups, Plug and Play, Magnus Olsson, Samih Toukan, Jonathan Labin

While you're here
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