The use of cloud seeding technology has been a topic of debate in the weather community, especially after a catastrophic flood hit the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The flooding on April 16 caused significant damage and paralyzed the city of Dubai. Many media outlets have accused cloud seeding operations conducted by Dubai as the potential cause of the floods. However, experts from the National Center of Meteorology (NCM) stated that cloud seeding operations were carried out a few days before the heavy rainfall.
The effects of the flooding were widespread, with schools closing, underground car parks being flooded, and transportation services being disrupted. The Dubai International Airport faced severe operational impacts, with flights being diverted or delayed by several hours. Similar flooding also affected the capital city of Abu Dhabi, and a tragic incident resulted in the death of a man in Ras Al Khaimah due to flash floods.
Meteorologists and climate scientists have emphasized the role of human-caused climate change in the heavy rainfall. Although cloud seeding technology was brought into the discussion, experts pointed out that its effectiveness is still a topic of debate within the scientific community. While it aims to influence rainfall by introducing particles into clouds, its limitations make it unlikely that it played a significant role in UAE’s recent flooding.
Despite this controversy surrounding cloud seeding technology, its usefulness remains an essential aspect for cities facing challenges related to excessive rainfall. As cities like Dubai face such challenges, adapting urban infrastructure to climate change becomes more evident than ever before. While cloud seeding technology may have some impact on increasing rainfall, it is not a comprehensive solution to address the impacts of climate change on urban areas.
In conclusion, while cloud seeding technology has been employed since 1940s and has some potential impact on rainfall increase; it is not enough to address all challenges related to excessive rainfall that cities like Dubai face today. The effectiveness of this technology remains debated among scientists and meteorologists alike; hence cities need to adapt their infrastructure according to current climate conditions while using other solutions like water management systems and building resilient infrastructure for future extreme weather events.