Let's learn from China
China closed 12 highways around the capital Beijing on 19.02.09 because of heavy snow brought on by seeding clouds with chemicals, according to the Chinese state media. This is exciting news as far as Bangladesh and its weather system is concerned.
All highways were closed in the northern province of China including the one which was directly connected to Beijing. The northern province is seriously hit by drought which according to Beijing is the longest drought in 38 years. Hebei got its first heavy snow of this year on 18.02.09. The provincial weather bureau said that snow too was "enhanced" by artificial seeding.
"The snow has brought moisture to the soil, which will help end the drought," according to a senior engineer of the provincial meteorological observatory. The meteorological office also said that 313 cigarette-size sticks of silver iodide were fired into the clouds from 18.02.09 night to 19.02.09 morning, that made the snow.
As far as Bangladesh is concerned, we sure do not want snow but to combat the draught which mostly takes place in the northern part of the country due to shortage of water, why can't our government request for help from the Chinese for making artificial rains throughout the dry season so that the farmers who harvest once a year do get the opportunity for a second.
With the additional harvest the growth and distribution of food within the country will also improve. This will also help the major rivers of the country to maintain navigation which often is lost due to the dryness/shortage of water of the rivers.
I hope our policy makers will certainly look into this.
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