Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: As Delhi battles severe air pollution, the government conducted its first-ever cloud seeding operation with assistance from IIT Kanpur, hoping to trigger artificial rain and reduce smog levels. However, the effort failed to yield the desired results. Cloud seeding, used in over 50 countries, has seen mixed success worldwide — effective in some regions while proving futile in others.
Countries Leading in Cloud Seeding
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) remains one of the most active nations in cloud seeding, conducting hundreds of flights annually to tackle water scarcity. Reports suggest a 10–30% increase in rainfall in certain regions. Similarly, China, which launched its program in the 1950s, operates the largest cloud seeding network in the world and even deployed it during the 2008 Beijing Olympics to improve air quality, claiming rainfall boosts of up to 15%.
In the United States, cloud seeding is used across states like Colorado, Utah, Idaho, Nevada, and California to enhance snowfall and manage droughts. Meanwhile, France, Spain, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Indonesia, and Australiahave also experimented with the technology.
Mixed Global Results
While nations like the UAE and China report measurable gains, others have seen disappointing outcomes. Israel, an early adopter since the 1960s, terminated its cloud seeding program in 2021 after research showed no significant increase in rainfall. Similarly, South Africa and mainland Australia reported minimal success despite repeated trials.
How Cloud Seeding Works
Cloud seeding involves using aircraft, drones, or ground-based generators to disperse microscopic particles — typically silver iodide, potassium iodide, or salt — into clouds. These particles act as nuclei around which water droplets form. When enough droplets cluster, they become heavy and fall as rain or snow.
Despite its promise, experts warn that cloud seeding’s success depends heavily on cloud conditions, humidity, and temperature, making it an uncertain and location-dependent technology.
