BANGKOK, Jan 18 (TNA) – The Department of Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation deployed rainmaking flights over Chon Buri and Chachoengsao provinces for cloud seeding to create rain to alleviate smog in Bangkok.
Surasee Kittimonthol, director-general of the department, said two rainmaking planes took off from its unit in Rayong province at 10.15am to create cloud over Chon Buri and Chachoengsao as relative humidity was at 80-90% at the altitudes of 6,000-7,000 feet.
It was the highest relative humidity since the rainmaking operation to cope with smog started on Tuesday. Officials believed sunlight would lift clouds so that more rainmaking flights could grow clouds, Mr Surasee said.
The easterly wind speed was at 25 kilometers per hour and should bring clouds and rain to Bangkok, he said.
According to him, Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Grisada Boonrach ordered officials in Rayong to be ready for swift rainmaking operations with circumstances are suitable.
The operations happened above Phan Thong district of Chon Buri province and Bang Pakong and Bang Nam Prieo districts of Chachoengsao today.
Rainmaking alleviated smog in greater Bangkok but the weather problem could be worse on the weekend as weathermen expected stagnant air during the period, Mr Surasee said. (TNA)
