Iran resorts to cloud inoculation: hope or illusion in the drought scenario?

Iran resorts to cloud inoculation: hope or illusion in the drought scenario?

Iran is in the midst of a dramatic water crisis that is severely affecting not only nature but also people's daily lives. The government has therefore decided to move forward with a controversial process known as cloud seeding. This is in direct response to acute water shortages and the ever-increasing droughts plaguing the country. Loud Radio Wuppertal Energy Minister Abbas Aliabadi has already reported 37 flights and 61 missions with drones to carry out this measure.

How exactly does cloud seeding work? In this process, silver iodide is released into clouds in conjunction with acetone to promote the formation of raindrops. Whether this measure is actually effective remains controversial among experts. Numerous environmental experts doubt the effectiveness of the method, while public criticism of the government is becoming increasingly louder. After all, Iran is one of the driest countries in the world, where the decline in rainfall and the increase in extreme weather events in recent years are obvious.

Signs of hope and skepticism

So does heaven actually care about Iranians' water needs? Hopes rose in the capital Tehran when it finally rained again on Monday after weeks of waiting. But the joy is accompanied by serious concerns. Some critics point out that current farming practices, based on perverse incentives, result in subsidizing thirsty crops. As a result, many farmers harvest less according to the principle of sustainability than according to the principle of maximum yield - a catastrophic long-term prospect for soils and water reserves Allgäu newspaper reported.

Thousands of families are forced to leave rural areas as economic conditions in agriculture become increasingly difficult due to water scarcity. Regulations and traditional farming methods are being pushed aside, which further exacerbates the situation.

The social context

Desperation over the water crisis has even led to rain prayers being held after Friday prayers in Tehran in an attempt to improve the situation. During these ceremonies, believers call on heaven for help. This kind of helplessness towards the government has not only caused concern among the population, but has also led to harsh criticism of political decision-makers. How Daily Mirror According to reports, some Islamic hardliners even see the cause of the drought in the lifestyle of the citizens and see it as a sin.

The country's water reservoirs - most of the dams have now dried up - are causing panic among the population. As a clever response to this outcry, water supply restrictions were announced in various cities. For example, the government plans to shut off the water supply in Tehran for about 11 hours per night. President Massoud Peseschkian is concerned about the development, but considers an evacuation of Tehran to be unfeasible.