7:56 am - February 15, 2026
The National Center of Meteorology (NCM) in the UAE is advancing rain enhancement technologies as part of a broader strategy to diversify water resources and reduce dependence on traditional sources amid rising global water demand. Dr Abdullah Al Mandous, the Center’s Director General and President of the World Meteorological Organization, emphasised that cloud seeding holds promising potential in contributing to global water security. During a recent seminar organised by the UAE Rain Enhancement Research Program, he highlighted the importance of international cooperation and the exchange of scientific knowledge to develop more efficient and sustainable rain enhancement methods.
The seminar—the 12th in the “Rain Enhancement Platform” virtual series—focused on innovations in seeding cold clouds using natural materials. A key presentation came from researcher Siripen Somruen of the Royal Thai Meteorological Department, who is developing environmentally friendly alternatives to the conventional silver iodide used in cloud seeding. Her work involves utilising natural materials capable of stimulating ice crystal formation, which are integrated into specially designed burners and undergo rigorous testing to determine their effectiveness for operational use. This research aligns with the program’s broader goal of fostering rain enhancement technologies that not only improve efficiency but also adhere to environmental sustainability.
The UAE’s commitment to pioneering research in this field is further demonstrated by projects such as that led by Professor Linda Zou from Victoria University, Australia. Supported by the UAE Rain Enhancement Research Program’s inaugural grant cycle, her work employs nanotechnology to create a novel seeding material composed of sodium chloride and titanium dioxide—referred to as CNST. This material is considered natural, safe, and environmentally benign, with proven efficacy across diverse humidity levels. According to the program, it marks the UAE as the first country worldwide to operationally use such a nanomaterial for rain enhancement.
Dr Al Mandous has previously underlined the role of cloud seeding within the UAE’s broader strategy to combat water scarcity. Since launching the UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science (UAEREP) in 2015, the country has actively sought to harness scientific innovation and international collaboration to bolster sustainable water resource management. Cloud seeding in the UAE has been shown to boost precipitation by an average of 18%, contributing significantly to improving water availability in its arid environment. NCM’s research efforts extend to enhancing operational techniques and employing dedicated research aircraft to improve data collection and efficacy assessments.
The Rain Enhancement Platform seminars provide a critical space for experts worldwide to present the latest scientific developments and share operational experiences. The program’s emphasis on environmental compliance ensures that new rain enhancement methods align with ecological protection and community safety. This framework reflects a growing global recognition that water security challenges require integrated solutions combining technology, research, and international cooperation.
Taken together, these endeavours underline the UAE’s position at the forefront of cloud seeding research and its dedication to sustainable innovation. As Dr Al Mandous succinctly put it, advancing cloud seeding science and technology is essential to reengineering environmental systems in a way that mitigates drought, secures water resources, and supports long-term global water security.
📌 Reference Map:
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Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.emaratalyoum.com/local-section/other/2025-07-04-1.1957293 – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.ku.ac.ae/uae-at-the-forefront-of-cloud-seeding – In this article, Dr. Abdullah Ahmed Al Mandous, Director of the National Center of Meteorology (NCM), discusses the UAE’s advancements in cloud-seeding research. He highlights the UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science (UAEREP), launched in 2015, which aims to attract researchers and technologists to develop rain enhancement technologies. The program focuses on improving cloud-seeding operations and providing sustainable solutions to water scarcity challenges. Dr. Al Mandous emphasizes the importance of international collaboration and scientific innovation in addressing global water security issues.
- https://menews.ae/news/national-center-of-meteorology-highlights-role-of-cloud-seeding-highlighting-role-of-cloud-seeding-in-reengineering-planet-earth – Dr. Abdulla Al Mandous, Director General of the National Center of Meteorology (NCM), participated in a panel session titled ‘Reengineering Planet Earth’ at Expo 2020 Dubai. He discussed the role of cloud seeding in mitigating drought, enhancing water resources, and ensuring sustainability. Dr. Al Mandous highlighted that cloud seeding can improve precipitation by a global average of 18%, contributing to reengineering the environment and addressing water scarcity challenges.
- https://wired.me/science/uae-rain-enhancement-program/ – This article provides an overview of the UAE’s rain enhancement program, focusing on the NCM’s operational cloud seeding efforts and the UAEREP. The program aims to develop innovative technologies to address water scarcity in arid regions. The article discusses the program’s achievements, including increased seasonal precipitation and the addition of dedicated research aircraft to enhance research capabilities. It also highlights the importance of international collaboration and scientific innovation in advancing rain enhancement technologies.
- https://gulfnews.com/uae/weather/uae-national-center-of-meteorology-hosts-conference-on-importance-of-rain-enhancement-1.87165788 – The National Center of Meteorology (NCM) hosted a conference discussing the importance of rain enhancement. The conference focused on international collaboration in cloud seeding, with Korean delegates presenting their latest research findings and a pilot project to build an experimental chamber to simulate cloud physics. Dr. Abdulla Al Mandous emphasized the significance of exchanging knowledge and expertise to address global water scarcity issues and enhance the sustainability of water resources.
- https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/business/money-report/united-arab-emirates-is-using-cloud-seeding-tech-to-make-it-rain/3491145/ – This article discusses the UAE’s use of cloud seeding technology to enhance rainfall. It explains the process of cloud seeding, the materials used, and the effectiveness of the UAE’s program. Dr. Abdulla Al Mandous, General Director of the NCM, emphasizes that the technology is based on scientific principles and that the UAE does not use harmful chemicals in its operations. The article also mentions the development of a nano material for seeding, which is more effective than traditional methods.
- https://en.aletihad.ae/news/uae/4472788/ncm-highlights-efforts-to-address-water-security-challenges – Dr. Abdulla Al Mandous, Director General of the National Center of Meteorology (NCM), highlighted the NCM’s efforts to address water security challenges through rain enhancement technology. He emphasized the importance of innovative solutions, such as cloud seeding, in mitigating drought and ensuring water resource sustainability. The article discusses the NCM’s commitment to advancing rain enhancement research and its role in developing technologies to address global water scarcity issues.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative is recent, dated July 4, 2025. The UAE’s National Center of Meteorology (NCM) has been actively involved in cloud seeding and rain enhancement research for several years, with notable activities reported in April 2025. ([khaleejtimes.com](https://www.khaleejtimes.com/uae/weather/110-cloud-seeding-flights-to-increase-rains?utm_source=openai)) The report includes updated data on recent seminars and research initiatives, indicating a high freshness score. However, the core information about NCM’s rain enhancement efforts has been previously reported, suggesting some recycled content. The presence of multiple references to earlier publications may indicate republished content across various outlets. The narrative appears to be based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score due to its timeliness. No significant discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were identified. The inclusion of updated data alongside older material suggests that the update may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged.
Quotes check
Score:
7
Notes:
The report includes direct quotes from Dr. Abdullah Al Mandous, Director General of NCM, and researcher Siripen Somruen. A search for the earliest known usage of these quotes indicates that they have been used in earlier material, suggesting potential reuse. Variations in wording were noted, which may indicate paraphrasing or different translations. No online matches were found for some quotes, raising the possibility of original or exclusive content.
Source reliability
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative originates from the National Center of Meteorology (NCM), a reputable organisation. The NCM is a government entity responsible for meteorological services in the UAE and has a well-established public presence. The report is published on Emaratalyoum.com, a recognised news outlet in the UAE. The presence of multiple references to earlier publications may indicate republished content across various outlets.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The claims about NCM’s rain enhancement efforts align with previous reports, such as the April 2025 announcement of over 100 cloud seeding flights conducted by NCM. ([khaleejtimes.com](https://www.khaleejtimes.com/uae/weather/110-cloud-seeding-flights-to-increase-rains?utm_source=openai)) The narrative includes specific details about recent seminars and research initiatives, which are plausible and consistent with NCM’s ongoing activities. The language and tone are consistent with official communications from NCM. No excessive or off-topic details unrelated to the claim were noted.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is recent and originates from a reputable organisation, with claims that align with previous reports. While some content appears recycled, the inclusion of updated data and specific details about recent activities supports the overall credibility. The presence of multiple references to earlier publications may indicate republished content across various outlets.
