Cloud seeding operations carried out by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), aimed at combating water shortages, may have caused torrential rains and widespread flooding in its capital, Dubai.
This desert nation, which began planting operations in 2002, now faces rainfall management challenges due to the lack of adequate drainage infrastructure in many areas.
The National Center of Meteorology (NCM) in the Gulf State activated aircraft to seed clouds over the convective cloud formations a couple of days before the storms.
These operations, carried out from Al Ain airport and with special drones, sought to increase precipitation by releasing particles such as potassium chloride into the atmosphere, which function as condensation nuclei for the formation of raindrops.
Ahmed Habib, a specialized meteorologist, confirmed to Bloomberg that seven cloud seeding missions were carried out in recent days, which would have contributed to the generation of the intense rains observed.
This phenomenon has unleashed a series of effects on the daily lives of residents and critical infrastructure. Social networks were filled with images and videos of Dubai airport, which suffered flooding that forced the suspension of air operations for 25 minutes.
Despite the material damage and complications caused by the floods, the Dubai press office described these rains as “rains of kindness”, underscoring the crucial role they play in mitigating the effects of global warming, which threatens to increase. heat-related deaths in the UAE.
In this context, the current floods raise questions about the sustainability and risks of cloud seeding as a long-term solution to water security in the UAE.
It also underlines the importance of developing drainage and stormwater management infrastructure capable of adapting to new climate realities.
Does cloud seeding really work?
Authorities from the country’s National Meteorological Center indicated that the recent rains were not linked to cloud seeding activities, CNN reported.
Even if the planes used in the cloud seeding program had flown ahead of the storm, it is highly unlikely that such efforts would have resulted in more rainfall than would be expected naturally.
“How do you know how much precipitation from that cloud is due to seeding? Or how much would have fallen without the planting?” Daniel Swain, a climate scientist at UCLA, told the outlet. “This is not a setting where you can do a truly controlled experiment.”
Scientists have made efforts in this field. A 2020 study, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academies of Sciences, suggested that a specific cloud seeding experiment could have increased rainfall by 10% more than what would have occurred naturally.
However, doubts remain within the scientific community. Swain highlighted the importance of conducting controlled research that confirms whether cloud seeding was indeed responsible for a significant increase in precipitation.
Risks of cloud seeding
Cloud seeding is a method that seeks to increase rainfall by dispersing substances in the clouds, such as salts, to stimulate precipitation. Although it seems like a solution to water scarcity, it carries risks.
For example, it can alter rainfall patterns in areas not intended to receive water, affecting both local flora and fauna and agriculture. Additionally, excessive use of chemicals could have negative impacts on water quality and environmental health. These factors mean that its application must be careful and considered.
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