Water scarcity may be solved by rain enhancement technology, but not before scientists from unrelated fields contribute to the research, meteorologists say.

 

The announcement came as meteorologists spoke at New York University Abu Dhabi on Wednesday to encourage researchers from many disciplines to submit proposals for the second round of awards for the UAE Research Project for Rain Enhancement Science.

 

The project will grant three proposals a total of US$5 million (Dh18.4m) in research funding, with submissions due on March 17. The idea is to encourage scientists and engineers outside the realm of rain enhancement technology – regarded as an answer to water scarcity – to get involved in the latest awards cycle, said Omar Al Yazeedi, director of research, development and training at the National Centre for Meteorology and Seismology.

 

Last year, the UAE announced that water was one of the “seven pillars” of its innovation strategy, and the Ministry of Presidential Affairs highlighted rain enhancement as one of the most plausible solutions to water scarcity in the arid region.

 

A presentation shown at NYU Abu Dhabi provided academics with an idea of what has been achieved and, more importantly, the knowledge gaps that they are seeking to address in this round of proposals. (The National)

 

 

PHOTO CREDIT: Jeffrey E Biteng / The National.