VietNamNet Bridge - An Sinh Xanh Science & Technology has proposed a project to create man-made rain to ease the drought during El Nino. However, scientists are doubtful about the project’s feasibility.

An Sinh Xanh’s general director Phan Dinh Phuong has confirmed that the company has sent a document to the Prime Minister and seven relevant ministries, proposing to implement the project.

The company has also asked the government to advance VND5 trillion to buy equipment and chemicals for experiments in the first phase, slated for October 10, 2016 in Da Nang City and carry out the next steps of the project in 2016 and 2017.

Under the project, 1,000 rain regulating stations would be set up because of rain and storms which flood Hanoi and other cities.

The principle of the project is to gather clouds and create rain on the sea to prevent clouds from going to the mainland. Only sufficient volumes of clouds will be allowed to go to the mainland and driven to places where necessary.

The principle of the project is to gather clouds and create rain on the sea to prevent clouds from going to the mainland. Only sufficient volumes of clouds will be allowed to go to the mainland and driven to places where necessary.

Phuong said he has the idea after hearing about the drought in Mekong Delta which dried up rice fields and upset people’s lives.

When asked about the capital of VND5 trillion, Phuong said the amount of money was very modest compared with the benefits brought to agriculture and people’s lives.

He also believes in the project’s success, saying that man-made rain occurs in 54 countries all over the world.

Scientists, though confirming the success in many countries, are doubtful about the feasibility of the project. 

“It is very costly to implement man-made rain projects, and no one can say for sure about the probability of success,” he said.

The US scientists first created man-made rain in 1946 when introducing a small amount of carbon dioxide into clouds. Russia, Thailand, India, China and countries with developed science and technology can also make rain.

“No need to spend VND5 trillion on the man-made rain project, because many countries in the world can make rain. If necessary, Vietnam just needs to invite a consultancy firm to transfer technology,” he commented.

In the case of An Sinh Xanh, if the company affirms it can develop technology of its own, it must finish the research and sell technology to the state instead of using the state money for research.

Kim Chi