Thailand Launches Rainmaking Operations in Chiang Mai as Smog Hits Hazardous Levels
Thailand has deployed rainmaking planes to Chiang Mai to combat hazardous PM2.5 smog caused by agricultural burning.
The Thai Department of Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation has deployed aircraft to combat hazardous levels of PM2.5 air pollution in northern Thailand, with a primary focus on Chiang Mai Province. The seasonal smog, primarily caused by agricultural burning and forest fires, has pushed air quality to dangerous levels, prompting authorities to activate the rainmaking fleet. The operation involves cloud seeding to induce artificial rain, aiming to wash away fine dust particles and alleviate the public health risk. Officials report that the dense haze has significantly reduced visibility and poses serious respiratory hazards, leading to school closures and health warnings for residents to remain indoors. This annual intervention is part of broader efforts to manage the region's persistent dry-season air pollution crisis.