Chang to seek scientists' advice on cloud seeding
Published:Friday | February 5, 2010 | 12:00 AM
WATER AND Housing Minister Dr Horace Chang has revealed that he will be asking a team of scientists to advise him on whether Jamaica should attempt to seed clouds for rain.
"Cloud seeding is still a very inexact science, but the modelling is getting a little better. We are looking into the matter to see if there is any feasibility in doing this thing," Chang told The Gleaner Wednesday.
Eastern Westmoreland Member of Parliament Luther Buchanan on Tuesday urged Government to employ the technology, which involves dispersing chemicals in clouds to trigger rain.
Affecting livelihood
In an interview with The Gleaner, Buchanan said the severity of the drought has affected the livelihood of many Jamaicans, especially in his constituency, and urged state authorities to consider cloud seeding.
On Wednesday, Chang noted that there were limitations to cloud seeding.
"The rain may not fall over Jamaica, or it may fall where you don't need it and may cause damage where you really don't want it," Chang told The Gleaner.
Added the minister: "Given the circumstances, it has to be looked at in the near term and we are going to investigate the feasibility of it. What I am going to do is ask for some of the atmospheric scientists to take a look at the data available and advise me on it."