An aircraft of the Thai Department of Royal Rainmaking deposit a sodium chloride-based material above clouds in an effort to produce rain (Photo: AFP)
Hanoi (VNA) – Thailand has decided to send the Department of Royal Rainmaking to seed clouds to produce rain nationwide, as the country is experiencing its worst drought in decades.
Wiraphon Sudchada, a scientist who is part of the rainmaking team, said the first step is to make clouds by spraying salt powder. Then, calcium chloride and calcium oxide will be mixed and sprayed into clouds carrying humidity to make them bigger.
Experts will also spray ice beneath the clouds so that it will rain faster, he added.
Drought has hit 22 of the 76 provinces nationwide and became most serious in the north, as levels in reservoirs there receded to record lows.
The rainy season last year came late and infrequently, and undermined farmers’ hopes for the monsoon season’s arrival in June.
Thailand has employed teams to make rain since the late 1960s, with projects driven by current King Bhumibol Adulyadej.-VNA
