Heavy rainfall struck various parts of the United Arab Emirates, including the desert city-state of Dubai on Monday. It caused extensive flooding and disrupted major highways and the international airport.

This downpour, which dumped more than a year and a half’s worth of rain in just a few hours, has been attributed in part to artificial rain which is caused by cloud seeding, according to experts.

Cloud seeding is a weather modification technique employed to stimulate precipitation. It involves the introduction of substances like silver iodide or potassium iodide into clouds using aircraft or helicopters.

These particles facilitate the condensation of water vapor and the formation of raindrops or ice crystals, resulting in cloud formation and subsequent rainfall.

An expert from UAE’s National Center of Meteorology (NCM) told local media that they carried out cloud seeding sorties this week.

“Whenever there are clouds in the sky, we conduct cloud seeding operations. From yesterday till today [Tuesday afternoon], we carried out six trips,” he said.

Apart from the UAE, other countries in the region, including Saudi Arabia and Oman, also employ similar cloud seeding techniques to enhance precipitation within their territories.

In December 2023, the UAE helped Pakistan in inducing artificial rain in Lahore.

The UAE, situated in an extremely arid region, has been at the forefront of utilizing cloud seeding technology to increase rainfall. The average annual precipitation in the Persian Gulf region remains below 100 millimeters (3.9 inches) on average.

The primary purpose of implementing this technology is to meet the water demands of the growing population and the expanding economy, diversifying into sectors such as tourism.

CLOUD SEEDING OR ARTIFICIAL RAIN

Cloud seeding relies on specific meteorological conditions, such as the presence of moisture-laden clouds and suitable wind patterns, for its success.

The process aims to stimulate rainfall in targeted regions or alleviate drought conditions, and it is utilized for agricultural, environmental, and water resource management purposes.

During cloud seeding operations, chemicals like silver iodide are dispersed into the atmosphere using small, slow-moving aircraft.

These chemicals induce freezing within the clouds, leading to rain formation. It is important to note that high-speed planes are unsuitable for this task, as they would not be able to effectively distribute the chemicals.

Typically, aircraft fly beneath the clouds for the dispersion process, although navigating above the clouds can present challenges.

CLOUD SEEDING PROCESS

While cloud seeding offers benefits by providing water through rainfall, it also carries certain risks.

One such risk is the potential for flash floods, which can occur when heavy rainfall overwhelms the capacity of drainage systems and natural waterways.

Therefore, careful monitoring and management of cloud seeding operations are necessary to minimize the likelihood of flash floods and other adverse consequences.

Recent reports from a neighboring country of the UAE, Oman indicate that at least 18 people have lost their lives due to heavy rains and subsequent flooding.

It is noteworthy that Oman has actively employed cloud seeding to boost precipitation within its borders.

Scientists have raised concerns about the long-term consequences of using the chemical silver iodide in cloud seeding.

These include adverse effects on the ecosystem such as ocean acidification, depletion of the ozone layer, and elevated levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide.

Additionally, silver, being a heavy and toxic metal, poses risks to the health of plants, humans, and animals.