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NWC says cloud seeding not an option
Saturday, 27 February 2010
Suggestions that Jamaica could turn to the controversial method known as Cloud Seeding to increase levels of rainfall to combat the severe drought conditions being experienced will not be adapted any time soon.
Corporate Communications Manager at the National Water Commission, Charles Buchanan who was speaking Friday at the RJR News Centre's Editors forum said that the Water ministry has decided against the method after advice from experts.
"The minister has received advice from a number of experts and the ministry did indicate that they were accepting the advice they have received from these experts that indicate that it would be unwise in addition to expensive for Jamaica to undertake cloud seeding at this time,"
He said it was decided that the method would be too risky and too expensive for Jamaica.
"The results are not guaranteed, the use of the technology is extremely expensive and also Jamaica at this time does not have the information base that would best inform good attempts at cloud seeding,"
"Consultation has been made through the ministry with a number of overseas entities and we have taken on board the experiences of a number of other countries so that one is not a likely option at this time at all," Mr. Buchanan said.
Cloud Seeding is a form of weather modification that attempts to change the amount or type of precipitation that falls from clouds, by dispersing substances into the air that serve as cloud condensation.
The method is usually used to increase rainfall.
Saturday, 27 February 2010
Suggestions that Jamaica could turn to the controversial method known as Cloud Seeding to increase levels of rainfall to combat the severe drought conditions being experienced will not be adapted any time soon.
Corporate Communications Manager at the National Water Commission, Charles Buchanan who was speaking Friday at the RJR News Centre's Editors forum said that the Water ministry has decided against the method after advice from experts.
"The minister has received advice from a number of experts and the ministry did indicate that they were accepting the advice they have received from these experts that indicate that it would be unwise in addition to expensive for Jamaica to undertake cloud seeding at this time,"
He said it was decided that the method would be too risky and too expensive for Jamaica.
"The results are not guaranteed, the use of the technology is extremely expensive and also Jamaica at this time does not have the information base that would best inform good attempts at cloud seeding,"
"Consultation has been made through the ministry with a number of overseas entities and we have taken on board the experiences of a number of other countries so that one is not a likely option at this time at all," Mr. Buchanan said.
Cloud Seeding is a form of weather modification that attempts to change the amount or type of precipitation that falls from clouds, by dispersing substances into the air that serve as cloud condensation.
The method is usually used to increase rainfall.