Ethiopia to implement cloud seeding for 2nd GERD filling

Addis Ababa, May 31, 2021 (FBC) – Ethiopian National Meteorology Agency announced a plan to implement cloud seeding for the second filling of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).

Ethiopia is set to undertake the second filling of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) in the coming rainy months of July and August.

And it is revealed that there is a plan to use cloud seeding technology in addition to the heavy rains that Ethiopia gets between July and September. It is Ethiopia’s National Metrology Agency initiative.

Deputy Director of National Metrology Agency, Kinfe Hailemariam, on Saturday said that about ten institutions, in the country, took part in the cloud seeding technology which started recently.

The technology helps to get rain where it is needed, said Dr. Dinku Tufa, a senior researcher at International Research Institute for Climate and Society (IRI).

Ethiopia has been making preparations to undertake GERD second filling, including forest clearing forest for reservoir, of the GERD which is expected to retain 13.9 billion metric cubes of water.

Furthermore, Ethiopia has installed two turbines this week with the aim to start generating electricity following the second filling.