New Delhi: Scientists at a US university claim to have discovered an airborne bacteria which could be used to bring rain in the drought affected regions of the world in near future.

The precipitation bacteria, widely present in the atmosphere, may provide hints on how severe drought conditions in some of the most dry regions of the world, including Africa, could be dealt with effectively, scientists said. The finding was made by the professors of Montana State University (MSU) in the US and their work was published in Science journal recently.

"Drought could be less of a problem once we understand all of this," David Sands of MSU, who led the study said. "Bacteria form little groups on the surface of plants. Wind then sweeps the bacteria into the atmosphere, and ice crystals form around them. Water clumps on to the crystals, making them bigger and bigger. The ice crystals turn into rain and fall to the ground," Sands explained what he calls bio-precipitation cycle.

Snow and most rain begins with the formation of these ice in clouds. But only the biological participants can do it in warmer temperature, he said. "These research findings could potentially supply knowledge that could help reduce drought," he added.

Source : PTI