Japan has its first artificial rain in 12 years

Tokyo city authorities used cloud seeding equipment to cause rain on August 21 after water levels in dams supplying the capital region fell below normal.

This is the first artificial rain in 12 years.

Two rainmaking machines were activated at around 2 p.m. The city government said 10 mm of rain fell upstream of the Ogouchi Dam on the Tamagawa River three hours later, and about 11 mm of rain fell downstream from 2 p.m.

(Source: kyodonews.jp)

“The rain upstream may be the result of the equipment working,” said a Tokyo government official in charge of the project.

These rain machines are located near dams in the Okutama and Koshu areas of Yamanashi Prefecture, on the outskirts of Tokyo.

Silver iodide, believed to be rain-making “seeds,” was mixed with acetone before being blown into the sky. The mixture was said to cool clouds at 4,000-5,000m altitude and produce rain.

The Tokyo government will decide whether to fully operate the facility after observing changes in water levels in the river.

As of August 21, water levels in dams along the Tone River system were only 47% full, and water levels in canals along the Tama River system dropped to 69%.

Tokyo authorities have restricted pumping 10% of water in reservoirs along the Tone River since July 24./.

According to (Vietnam+) - VT