Iran is currently struggling with one of the most severe droughts in half a century and officials have started cloud seeding to force rainfall. The latest operation took place over the basin hosting the Urmia Lake which has shrunken into a vast salt plain.
According to authorities, more flights are planned across the Eastern and Western Azerbaijan provinces as the water crisis becomes harder to manage.
How Cloud Seeding Works
Cloud seeding isn’t new but Iran is relying on it more aggressively as natural rainfall collapses. The method involves releasing particles such as silver iodide or salt into clouds to help moisture condense and fall as rain.
Several countries have used the technology including the UAE as a way to boost rainfall in increasingly dry climates.
Record Drought & 90% Collapse in Rainfall
The Iranian meteorological agency reports a nearly 90% drop in rainfall compared to long-term averages. Reservoirs feeding major cities are running precariously low. President Masoud Pezeshkian recently warned that if there was no rain soon, Tehran might have to ration water and even consider evacuating the city.
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Officials have also flagged worryingly low water levels in dams serving Tehran, Markazi and the Azerbaijan provinces.
Public Anxiety & Small Signs of Relief
The deteriorating situation has sent Iranians to prayer gatherings in hopes of at least a short-term change in weather. Rainfall was recorded over the weekend in some western regions, as snow reached the Tochal ski area on the outskirts of Tehran for the first time this winter season.
While the moments bring temporary comfort, experts say they are not sufficient to make up for months of extreme drought.
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Cloud Seeding Expands Across Provinces
Authorities said the latest cloud seeding flight marked the beginning of broader operations this water year, with more missions planned in the northwest where conditions are dire and lakes have almost disappeared.
Heavy rain and some flooding has been seen in isolated regions, according to footage circulating on state media, although meteorologists have not confirmed if it was directly caused by the seeding.
A Long-Term Threat Fueled by Climate Change
Iran has suffered from periodic droughts for decades, but scientists warn that climate change is accelerating both droughts and heat waves. With half the country not seeing rain for months and reservoirs almost empty, cloud seeding is one of the few remaining options-albeit a limited impact one until wider reforms in water management are undertaken.
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Disclaimer: This article is based on available reports and expert assessments. It does not claim scientific certainty about the outcomes of cloud seeding operations.
