Cloud-seeding brings rains to Central Mindanao

KORONADAL CITY, Philippines - The government’s continuing cloud-seeding operations in Central Mindanao since last week has induced scattered moderate downpours, a senior agriculture official said Thursday.

Amalia Jayag-Datukan, director for Region 12 of the Department of Agriculture, said there were scattered rains this week in Koronadal City and in South Cotabato’s nearby Santo Niño, Lake Sebu, Polomolok and Tupi towns.

There were also light to moderate downpours in parts of Sultan Kudarat, North Cotabato and Sarangani provinces, according to Datukan.

At least 147 bags of sodium chloride (salt) had been used in the cloud-seeding operations in Region 12 using a light aircraft since late January.

Datukan said local government units in the region and field personnel of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration are helping the DA-12 monitor rainfall in drought-stricken towns.