Parched UAE turns to science to squeeze more rainfall from clouds

ABU DHABI: As a twin-turboprop aircraft takes off under the burning desert sun with dozens of salt canisters attached to its wings, United Arab Emirates meteorological official Abullah al-Hammadi scans weather maps on computers screens for cloud formations.

At 9,000 feet above sea level, the plane releases salt flares into the most promising white clouds, hoping to trigger rainfall.

“Cloud seeding requires the existence of rainy clouds, and…