Thailand deploys 30 rain-making jets to battle drought, pollution

Bangkok, Chiang Mai and other Thai cities have grappled with poor air quality in recent years. - AP

BANGKOK: Thailand plans to deploy 30 aircraft nationwide for cloud-seeding operations to induce artificial rain to battle air pollution and ease dry weather conditions in the main crop-growing areas.

The country kicked off its so-called annual royal rainmaking programme on Thursday (Feb 29), setting up seven centers across the country’s 77 provinces for operations in March and April, the government said in a statement. This year’s operations will rely on 24 aircraft from the Royal Rainmaking Department and six jets from the Royal Thai Air Force, it said.