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It's not raining in Isabela: PAF starts cloud seeding in Cagayan, Isabela amid El Niño

Philippines | National

It's not raining in Isabela: PAF starts cloud seeding in Cagayan, Isabela amid El Niño

By Aaron Recuenco

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) has started conducting cloud seeding operations over northern Luzon in response to the adverse effects of the El Niño which already caused more than P350 million damage in agriculture across the country.

PAF spokesperson Ma. Consuelo Castillo said the operation is in coordination with the Department of Agriculture to ensure more water supply for farmers that have been feeling the brunt of the dry spell in the past months.

On Feb. 25 and 26, Castillo said a cloud seeding operation was conducted over the southern part of Cagayan and the northern part of Isabela using a civilian Piper Navajo aircraft manned by personnel of the 900^th Air Force Weather Group.

“Our personnel were able to disperse 800 kilograms of sodium chloride onto cloud formations across Southern Cagayan and Northern Isabela on February 25 and 26,” said Castillo.

Cloud seeding operations are being conducted to supplement crop water needs during periods of low rainfall.

Castillo said they are continuously coordinating with the Department of Agriculture for the identification of areas where cloud cseeding operations can be conducted.

El Niño is currently affecting over 41 provinces, with weather experts saying that its effects could last up to May this year.

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