Warplanes To Combat Hailstorm Threat In Northern Thailand

[webfact]

Warplanes to combat hailstorm threat

By Kwandao Jitpana

The Nation

Chiang Mai

To minimise the chance of hailstorms blitzing the northern region in the coming hot season, two Royal Thai Air Force warplanes have been enlisted in an operation to "attack" the seasonal phenomena, which can be devastating to crops and property.

Such countermeasures have been carried out in the past by civilian propeller airplanes under supervision of the Bureau of Royal Rainmaking and Agrcultural Aviation. But this year two Alpha Jet attack planes are being called on to ensure quicker response and results, said director Warawuth Khantiyanont.

The operation, planned between March 21 and April 19, involves jettisoning a silver iodine substance from the two jets into clouds, instead of spraying it under the propeller planes' fuselage. The substance will generate a chemical catalyst which results in rain, rather than hail.

A new computer programme called TITAN will also be used during the operation this year. TITAN can produce more accurate results and ensure better analyses and forecast the scale of hailstorms before final decisions on whether to launch operations on a case-by-case basis.

Hailstorms occurred over nine occasions last year, between February 15 and May 15. The most severe were reported on March 29-30, and April 16-17, in Tak, Chiang Rai, Phayao and Chiang Mai.

The countermeasures against hailstorms was initiated by His Majesty the King and is in its fourth year. Areas of operations this year cover 11 provinces,where hailstorms are prevalent: Nan, Phrae, Mae Hong Son, Lampang, Lamphun, Uttaradit, Phitsanulok, Phetchabun, Sukhothai, Phichit and Kamphaneg Phet.

-- The Nation 2011-03-23

Related link - Weather in Thailand: http://weather.thaivisa.com

[Buchholz]

Such countermeasures have been carried out in the past by civilian propeller airplanes under supervision of the Bureau of Royal Rainmaking and Agrcultural Aviation. But this year two Alpha Jet attack planes are being called on to ensure quicker response and results, said director Warawuth Khantiyanont.

For Warawuth's benefit, two years ago...

DPA - March 18, 2009

Thai air force makes rain, not war

The Royal Thai Air Force has launched an attack on the weather this week, sending two German-made Alpha Jet fighters and other aircraft into the clouds to make rain, media reports said Wednesday. Air Force Chief Itthaporn Subhawong said the two Alpha Jets along with 13 other aircraft were deployed Tuesday as part of the annual rain-making mission for the kingdom, the Bangkok Post reported.

The German-made fighters have been armed with silver iodide bullets that release rain-making substances when fired into clouds at 6,100 metres. This year's rain-making mission, conducted during the hot season from March to May, would also use six AU-23 fighter planes, four BT-67 aircraft, and three NOMAD transport planes, Ittaporn said. Last year, the air force operated 618 rain-making flights, releasing 900 tons of chemicals into the clouds. The missions have a success rate of 85 to 95 per cent.

http://www.topnews.in/thai-air-force-makes-rain-not-war-2141048

[Thaddeus]

If clouds could fire back, you wouldn't find any military staff within a mile of them.

[phetaroi]

Undoubtedly the biggest danger here is that the cumulonimbus clouds may in turn burn down the Central World mall again while the police provide covert assistance.

[elshaheen]

If clouds could fire back, you wouldn't find any military staff within a mile of them.

I don't quite understand Thailand's logic on this issue. Sending warplanes to attack a cloud?

[egg]

Undoubtedly the biggest danger here is that the cumulonimbus clouds may in turn burn down the Central World mall again while the police provide covert assistance.

and we can call them white shirts and the police , just call them useless

[Hachi]

Cloud Seeding with Silver Iodide

"The Office of Environment, Health and Safety, UC Berkeley, rates silver iodide as a Class C, non-soluble, inorganic, hazardous chemical that pollutes water and soil.(8) It has been found to be highly toxic to fish, livestock and humans.(6,7,8,9) Numerous medical articles demonstrate that humans absorb silver iodide through the lungs, nose, skin, and GI tract.(7,8,9) Mild toxicity can cause GI irritation, renal and pulmonary lesions, and mild argyria (blue or black discoloration of the skin). Severe toxicity can result in hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, shock, enlarged heart, severe argyria, and death by respiratory depression.(8)"

"Under the guidelines of the Clean Water Act by the EPA, silver iodide is considered a hazardous substance, a priority pollutant, and as a toxic pollutant.(10) Some industries have learned this all too well."

"Obviously the cloud-after-cloud, year-after-year use of cloud seeding could lead to an insidious, cumulative effect. Especially when the same area is repeatedly seeded. If the toxicity manifests in pollution and illnesses, the effects may not be reversible."

More info in the link.

I wonder whether the water sample and other testing is carried out regularly here..hmm TIT.

[ginjag]

Cloud Seeding with Silver Iodide

"The Office of Environment, Health and Safety, UC Berkeley, rates silver iodide as a Class C, non-soluble, inorganic, hazardous chemical that pollutes water and soil.(8) It has been found to be highly toxic to fish, livestock and humans.(6,7,8,9) Numerous medical articles demonstrate that humans absorb silver iodide through the lungs, nose, skin, and GI tract.(7,8,9) Mild toxicity can cause GI irritation, renal and pulmonary lesions, and mild argyria (blue or black discoloration of the skin). Severe toxicity can result in hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, shock, enlarged heart, severe argyria, and death by respiratory depression.(8)"

"Under the guidelines of the Clean Water Act by the EPA, silver iodide is considered a hazardous substance, a priority pollutant, and as a toxic pollutant.(10) Some industries have learned this all too well."

"Obviously the cloud-after-cloud, year-after-year use of cloud seeding could lead to an insidious, cumulative effect. Especially when the same area is repeatedly seeded. If the toxicity manifests in pollution and illnesses, the effects may not be reversible."

More info in the link.

I wonder whether the water sample and other testing is carried out regularly here..hmm TIT.

ENLARGED HEART....what !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! a Chiang Mai symptom ????-------------toxic substance ?????? silver lodide.

Edited March 23, 2011 by ginjag

[slapout]

They should copy the method used in the citrus groves whereas a sound generator, similar to cannon fire is used for the same purpose. A bottle of LPG, a hollow tube, periodic release of lpg, and detonation and your in business. Otherwise the jets could fly thru the storm system , break the sound barrier and the seeding of potential hazardous material would be eliminated. This may be somewhat more expensive than the method mentioned. but cost is no object when looking at the lost crops value. I wonder what that figure would be?

[jimbeam1]

Cloud Seeding with Silver Iodide

"The Office of Environment, Health and Safety, UC Berkeley, rates silver iodide as a Class C, non-soluble, inorganic, hazardous chemical that pollutes water and soil.(8) It has been found to be highly toxic to fish, livestock and humans.(6,7,8,9) Numerous medical articles demonstrate that humans absorb silver iodide through the lungs, nose, skin, and GI tract.(7,8,9) Mild toxicity can cause GI irritation, renal and pulmonary lesions, and mild argyria (blue or black discoloration of the skin). Severe toxicity can result in hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, shock, enlarged heart, severe argyria, and death by respiratory depression.(8)"

"Under the guidelines of the Clean Water Act by the EPA, silver iodide is considered a hazardous substance, a priority pollutant, and as a toxic pollutant.(10) Some industries have learned this all too well."

"Obviously the cloud-after-cloud, year-after-year use of cloud seeding could lead to an insidious, cumulative effect. Especially when the same area is repeatedly seeded. If the toxicity manifests in pollution and illnesses, the effects may not be reversible."

More info in the link.

I wonder whether the water sample and other testing is carried out regularly here..hmm TIT.

Oh my Buddha. Please tell me this is not so. I know I've overslept and I'ts April first.

jb1

[warfie]

Drought, floods, Drought, floods, Drought, floods, Drought, floods, Drought, floods. every year...

learn to deal with it... it's not like Thais only just got here, they've been here for thousands of years and still haven't learned to cope...

No further comment...

[softgeorge]

If clouds could fire back, you wouldn't find any military staff within a mile of them.

A no fly zone for mother nature. Sorry mum if you drop a hailstone you will pay the consequeces.

[elshaheen]

So, let me get this correct. Thailand is going to send their warplanes to attack Rain clouds. So, what happens if Big Mamma Mother nature decides to Bitchslap Thailand?