Al Ain: The groundwater level has steadily been increasing in Al Ain and its surrounding areas thanks to the recent spate of rain lashing Al Ain, some areas of the northern emirates, and the mountainous region of neighbouring Oman.
Residents have been enjoying the wet weather while traffic police have been urging caution on the roads.
Towering cloud, thunderstorms and moderate to heavy rain has become an almost daily occurrence in Al Ain and parts of Hatta since the beginning of the month.
A duty forecaster at the National Centre of Meteorology and Seismology (NCMS) said the cloud formation is natural over Al Ain and the Oman area.
“We’re also using the cloud-seeding process to enhance rainfall,” he said.
When clouds form in the sky, the centre sends its aircraft for the cloud-seeding process, he added.
The forecaster said similar weather conditions are likely to continue this month and conditions will change next month.
Ahmad Aqeel, a meteorologist in Al Ain, said cloud seeding was interesting technology.
“But it’s not a rain-making process,” he said.
The process can simply enhance rainfall for which it needs natural cloud formation, he said.
“I love to drive in overcast weather,” said Stephanie Rich, an Al Ain resident.
She said the weather was glorious almost daily in the afternoon with light to heavy rain in some areas.
Residents in Al Jimi, Al Sarooj, Al Daheria, Katam Al Shikkla, Al Hayer, Bida Bint Saud, Hili, Al Shouaib and other Al Ain districts reported rain. A thunderstorm recently resulted in some 40.8mm of rain in Al Shouaib, 5.4mm at Al Ain airport, and 4.8mm in Al Ain city.
The NCMS forecaster said the rain has a replenishing effect on the groundwater level in Al Ain and its surrounding areas.
“The actual report on the groundwater level will be prepared when the period of rain comes to an end,” he said.
The meteorologist in Al Ain said the UAE has one of the world’s most arid climates. An increase in the level of groundwater will fill underground reservoirs. The UAE has dozens of small to medium-sized dams that are getting their share from the current rainfall in the mountainous and Al Ain area, he said.
The rainwater also makes its way from the streams and wadis coming from neighbouring Oman. The Ministry of Environment and Water, he said, has built dams in strategic locations to store the surface water.
