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UAE 

Heavy rain inundated various parts of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Tuesday, delivering an unprecedented deluge on the desert metropolis of Dubai within hours and causing flooding on major highways and at its international airport. Experts attributed this intense downpour, which affected Dubai and other UAE regions, in part to cloud seeding—a weather modification technique employed by the UAE and several other nations in the region.

The UAE, situated in one of the driest and hottest regions globally, has been at the forefront of utilizing cloud seeding technology to augment precipitation. Despite an annual average rainfall of less than 100 millimeters (3.9 inches) in the Persian Gulf region, the UAE endeavors to meet the water demands of its expanding population and diversified economy, particularly in tourism and other sectors.

Similar initiatives are undertaken by neighboring countries like Saudi Arabia and Oman, aiming to bolster precipitation within their territories. Furthermore, in India, scientists explore cloud seeding to address pollution issues in northern regions during winter.

But what exactly is cloud seeding or artificial rain?

Cloud seeding, also termed artificial rain, is a technique designed to stimulate precipitation by introducing substances like silver iodide or potassium iodide into clouds via aircraft or helicopters. These particles aid in condensing water vapor and facilitating the formation of raindrops or ice crystals, thereby promoting cloud development and subsequent rainfall.

The success of cloud seeding hinges on specific meteorological conditions, including the presence of moisture-laden clouds and suitable wind patterns. The primary objective is to induce rainfall in targeted areas or alleviate drought conditions, with applications spanning agriculture, environmental conservation, and water resource management.

The mechanics of cloud seeding are relatively straightforward:

Clouds contain tiny water droplets or ice crystals formed when water vapor condenses around airborne particles like dust or salt. By introducing chemicals such as silver iodide into the atmosphere, cloud seeding prompts freezing within clouds, leading to precipitation.

This operation is typically conducted using small, slow-moving aircraft tasked with dispersing chemicals into the clouds. High-speed planes are ill-suited for this task due to their inability to effectively disperse the chemicals. Aircraft typically fly beneath the clouds during the dispersion process, albeit facing challenges in navigating above them.

While cloud seeding offers the benefit of augmenting water supply through rainfall, it also poses inherent risks:

The diversion of rainfall to targeted regions may inadvertently cause drought conditions elsewhere, underscoring the need for careful planning and monitoring. Moreover, areas where cloud seeding is implemented often lack the infrastructure to manage additional rainfall, resulting in floods and associated damage.

Recent reports from Oman, a neighboring country of the UAE, highlight the repercussions of heavy rains, with at least 18 fatalities attributed to flooding. Oman, like the UAE, employs cloud seeding to enhance precipitation within its borders.

Additionally, the use of chemicals like silver iodide may have long-term ecological ramifications, including ocean acidification, ozone layer depletion, and increased atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. Silver, being a heavy and toxic metal, poses risks to plant, human, and animal health.

In conclusion, cloud seeding represents a pragmatic approach to augmenting rainfall in arid regions like the UAE, albeit with associated risks and considerations. While it offers potential benefits for water resource management and environmental sustainability, careful evaluation of its ecological and societal impacts is essential in ensuring responsible implementation and mitigation of adverse effects.