Worst drought in 50 years in Iran: Cloud seeding will help
Iran is currently experiencing its worst drought in 50 years – now cloud seeding flights are hoped to help, for example by “vaccinating” against clouds. A related flight was completed on Saturday over Lake Urmia in the northwest of the country, the Irna news agency reported. There were reports of rain in western and northwestern parts of the country over the weekend. It was initially unclear whether there was any connection to the act.
Cloud seeding involves spraying plain salt or a mixture of different salts into clouds from an airplane. Salt crystals promote condensation and thus the formation of rain. This technology has been used by dozens of countries, including the United States, China and India. Iran announced last year that it had developed its own “cloud seeding” method.
A cloud-seeding flight took off on Saturday over Lake Urmia, and more flights will follow in East and West Azerbaijan provinces, according to Irna. Urmia is the largest lake in Iran, but due to the ongoing drought, most of the lake has dried up and turned into a vast salt desert.
Local media showed video of rain on Sunday, which was possible without the spread of clouds. On Saturday, the Irna news agency reported that rain fell in the western and northwestern regions. In some places, heavy rainfall causes flooding. State media also showed footage of snow falling in the Tochal ski resort, located near the capital Tehran in the Albors Mountains.
According to Irna, Iran is currently experiencing its “driest autumn in 50 years.” According to the state weather service, this year’s rainfall totals are 89 percent below the long-term average. Half of Iran’s provinces have not received a drop of rain for months. There is a water shortage across the country.
Last week, Iranian President Massoud Peseschkian stated that Tehran would have to be evacuated if there was no rain by the end of the year. According to local authorities, rainfall in the capital in the past century has never been as low as it has been in recent months.
AFP
