The Northern Royal Rainmaking Center has kicked off a rainmaking operation to tackle drought and haze problems plaguing the northern region. The operation began on February 17 in Nakhon Sawan province.
The center’s acting chief, Mr. Anuparp Pawawattananusorn, disclosed that the royal rainmaking operation usually takes place during February-April when drought and haze problems occur. Daily assessment of the situation is required in risk provinces to determine the suitability of the weather for such operation.
Mr. Anuparp said evaluations had already showed the PM10 level which is used to indicate the level of small dust particles in the air reached a critical level of 149 micrograms per cubic meter in Mae Moh district, Lampang province, and 159 micrograms per cubic meter in Phrae province. Such levels could pose negative impacts on the human respiratory system while the standard level is 120 micrograms.
Severe drought is also reported in at least 2 provinces in the North, namely Fak Tha district, Uttaradit province, as well as Kong Krailat and Muang districts, Sukhothai province. Also, the nearby provinces of Lampang, Lamphun, Tak, Nan, and Chiang Rai have also requested artificial rainmaking operations from the center.
As weather assessment showed the most suitable period for rainmaking was during February 16-20, Mr. Anuparp said his unit thus started the operation on February 17 onwards with the help of four Caravan aircraft to induce moisture to the atmosphere. He said the operation in Chiang Mai has yet to be fixed later as the province is now harvesting its economic crops of garlic and red onion.
Source: http://thainews.prd.go.th/centerweb/newsen/NewsDetail?NT01_NewsID=WNSOC5702210010002