Artificial rainmaking conducted to prevent hailstorm in North

The Department of Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation has conducted artificial rainmaking to prevent a hailstorm in eight northern provinces.

The rainmaking operation was collaboration between the department and the air force to help prevent damage caused by a hailstorm. It lasted from 21 March to 19 May 2016. Alpha Jets were deployed for 16 days in the operation which made the rain fall in the eight provinces, including Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Lamphun, Lampang, Phayo, Phrae, Sukhothai and Tak. More than 888,000 Rai of farmland benefitted from the operation.

In Phitsanulok province, night-long heavy rain flooded residential and agricultural areas in Nakhon Thai district, damaging many farms. The flooding subsided later on the same day.