Agriculture Dept. starts seeding clouds to head off El Niño

A month after addressing the damage caused by enhanced monsoon rains in August, the Department of Agriculture (DA) is taking on an entirely different tack – seeding clouds with sodium solution or salt to induce rain against an expected dry spell.

 

DA-Region 7 director Angel Enriquez said in a phone interview with GMA News Online that they have conducted cloud-seeding operations in Bohol, which has experienced the first bout of the drought.

 

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) in its August 15 advisory warned that the effects of El Niño may start from August to October.

 

“Initial impact of the likely developing El Niño during September is below normal rainfall condition in the eastern portions of Northern and Central Luzon, including Palawan, some portions of Western and Central Visayas and Western Mindanao,” PAGASA said in its advisory.

 

In Bohol, average rainfall slumped to 6.8 millimeters so far this year compared to a yearly average of 138 mm in the past three years, Enriquez told GMA News Online.

 

The cloud seeding operations – which started August 30 – brought rains over the towns of Sierra Bulllones, Pilar and Alicia, Enriquez added.

 

“All the dams are now at normal levels. So there’s nothing to worry about,” the Agriculture official said.

 

She cited Malinao dam in Pilar, Bohol, which went back to its normal level of 151 meters after hitting critical level at 146 meters. 

 

Bayungan dam in San Miguel was also back at 45 meters from a critical 42 meters, as well as Capayas dam in Ubay at 35 meters from 31 meters, Enriquez said. — VS, GMA News