The clouds would then precipitate, pulled down below freezing point by the extra weight of dense particles, thus making it rain sooner and heavier than it might have done. Operation Cumulus was put on hold indefinitely after the tragedy. The list of possible uses included "bogging down enemy movement", "incrementing the water flow in rivers and streams to hinder or stop enemy crossings", and clearing fog from airfields. Very old. Squadron Leader Len Otley, who was working on what was known as Operation Cumulus, has told the BBC that they jokingly referred to the rainmaking exercise as Operation Witch Doctor. But then they were always a bit like that - the sort who'd peer out from behind their curtains at you. The disaster was officially termed a 'hand of God' event. Declassified minutes from an air ministry meeting, held in the war office on November 3, 1953, show why the military were interested in increasing rain and snow by artificial means. Our. "The rain was the heaviest for several years - and all out of a sky which looked summery ... there was no disguising the fact that the seedsman had said he'd make it rain, and he did. This is a theory that there was potential military experimentatioroyaln and involvement – never admitted to, of course – on 15th-16th August 1952 in which a ridiculous storm created more than 9 inches of rain within just 24 hours. In 1955 questions were asked in the Commons about the possibilites of liability and compensation claims. We flew down to see if any rain came out of the cloud. On the anniversary of the Lynmouth tragedy that claimed 34 lives, we look at compelling evidence that scientists were carrying out cloud seeding experiments, Get the pick of the week's stories and fascinating Devon history features direct to your inbox every Saturday morning in our exclusive Weekend Report newsletter. That was that for the cottages - and for the three old people. When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Most methods involved firing particles of salt, dry ice, or silver iodide, into clouds, either from an aeroplane or from burners on the ground. The clouds would be pulled below freezing by the extra weight of dense particles, making the rain fall sooner and heavier. Not a single hand-me-down. In August 1952 eyewitnesses described the 'purple black' clouds that accumulated over Exmoor - some even said the threatening skies had a weird greenish tinge. Declassified minutes from an air ministry meeting, held in the war office on November 3, 1953, show why the military were interested in increasing rain and snow by artificial means. "Toasts were drunk to meteorology and it was not until the BBC news bulletin [about Lynmouth] was read later on, that a stony silence fell on the company," said Mr Yates at the time. UK weather modification experiments at the time presaged current practice in the US. And more than one person observed that the clouds above North Devon and West Somerset were moving in completely opposite directions. The event has become known as the Lynmouth Flood Disaster, and since 1952 we've come a long way when it comes to dealing with sudden, violent, inundations - … The worst post-war flooding disaster in Britain took place in the North Devon village of Lynmouth in 1952, in a tragedy which claimed 34 lives. Many countries now use the technology, which has considerably improved during the past 50 years. The British Geological Survey has recently examined soil sediments in the district of Lynmouth to see if any silver or iodide residues remain. The chemicals were provided by ICI in Billingham. On August 15, 1952, one of the worst flash floods ever to have occurred in Britain swept through the Devon village of Lynmouth. The BBC Radio 4 programme The Day They Made It Rain suggested that both the air ministry and the Treasury were aware that rainmaking could cause damage, not just to military targets and personnel, but also to civilians. Squadron Leader Len Otley, who was working on Operation Cumulus, told the BBC that they jokingly referred to the rainmaking exercise as Operation Witch Doctor. The British Geological Survey examined soil sediments in the district of Lynmouth to see if any silver or iodide residues remain. The deaths included babies, children, teenagers, back-packers, husbands and wives and the elderly. Sometimes they’ll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. And it did about 30 minutes later, and we all cheered.". Thirty five people died as a torrent of 90m tons of water and thousands of tons of rock poured off saturated Exmoor and into the village destroying homes, bridges, shops and … "I'd lived by the river all my life and was used to hearing it roar. However, silver residue has been discovered in the catchment waters of the river Lyn. Documents seen by the BBC suggest that both the air ministry and the Treasury became very anxious and were aware that rainmaking could cause damage, not just to military targets and personnel, but also to civilians. His navigator, Group Captain John Hart, remembers the success of these early experiments: "We flew straight through the top of the cloud, poured dry ice down into the cloud. He survived by climbing across rooftops and watched as cars, buildings and whole trees were swept by just feet from him. Controversy still surrounds the early cloud-seeding experiments. Confidence 'sky high' and Exeter City players 'buzzing' after FA Cup win at Gillingham, "When we got the ball down and started playing we showed what a great team we are and we could have scored more goals,” said two goal hero Joel Randall, Gillingham 2 Exeter City 3 - Grecians into Round Three after causing FA Cup upset, Goals from Nicky Law and a Joel Randall double see City make Round Three, Premier League club – ideally Manchester United - is who Matt Taylor wants in FA Cup round 3, But if Exeter City aren't drawn against one of the big boys, then a winnable tie is the manager's preference. On this day, August 15 1952, the cloud seeding experiments came to a sudden end, official documents have confirmed. The Ministry of Defence has categorically denied knowledge of any cloud-seeding experiments taking place in the UK during early August 1952. Rumours persist to this day of planes circling before the inundation. Whether or not the Lymouth Flood Disaster was linked to the rainmaking experiments, 90 million tons of water cascaded down the steep narrow valleys of the twin rivers Lyn towards the small harbour village that night causing death and devastation. The school was above where we lived and they were all there except three people who lived in one of the other cottages. The flooding … Rain-making link to killer floods Government "rain-makers" used adapted gliders Thirty-five deaths in the infamous Lynmouth flood disaster came only days after RAF rain-making … I haven't got a thing. You can unsubscribe at any time. The scientists were based at Cranfield school of aeronautics and worked with the RAF and the MoD's meteorological research team at Farnborough. There is no mention of cloud seeding. Toasts were drunk to meteorology and it was not until the BBC news bulletin [about Lynmouth] was read later on, that a stony silence fell on the company," said Mr Yates at the time. The chemicals were provided by ICI in Billingham. In 1955 questions were asked in the Commons about the possibilities of liability and compensation claims.

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