See: UAE turns to science to squeeze more rainfall from clouds

Hygroscopic flares are attached to an aircraft during a cloud-seeding flight operated by the National Center of Meteorology, between Al Ain and Al Hayer, in UAE.

At 9,000 feet above sea level, the plane releases salt flares into the most promising white clouds, hoping to trigger rainfall. The cloud seeding missions are not constrained by seasons and are carried out throughout the year when seedable clouds are detected.

Cloud seeding flares are seen inside the control room at the National Center of Meteorology in Abu Dhabi.

With the assistance of modern technology, the UAE has made rain more probable. It has also enhanced the amount of accumulated rainfall in the emirates. Above, pilots Michael Anstis and Ahmed Al Jaberi receive instructions ahead of a cloud-seeding flight operated by the National Center of Meteorology in Al Ain.

The UAE is one of the first countries in the Arabian Gulf region to deploy cloud seeding technology, adopting the most cutting-edge technologies accessible worldwide and employing sophisticated weather radar to monitor the country's atmosphere continuously. Aside from using a private plane, customised salt flares have been produced to meet the nature of the situation.

Pilots Michael Anstis and Ahmed Al Jaberi receive instructions ahead of a cloud-seeding flight operated by the National Center of Meteorology in Al Ain.

Data collected helps determine the best possible situation for successful cloud seeding. Once conducive clouds are found, NCM launches aircraft carrying salt crystals – mixed with magnesium, sodium chloride and potassium chloride, which are 'seeded' into clouds.

An explanatory hologram of the cloud seeding process at the National Center of Meteorology in Abu Dhabi.

It is now standard practice for the NCM’s cloud seeding section to use a sophisticated weather surveillance radar (WSR), which is responsible for monitoring the atmospheric pressure around the clock.

Pilot Michael Anstis writes a weather report ahead of a cloud seeding flight