Bringing about rain: Is cloud seeding the right way forward?
Bringing about rain: Is cloud seeding the right way forward?
With reservoirs almost empty and Cyprus facing another drought winter, it is high time for innovative solutions.
With the threat of a fourth drought looming and extremely low water levels in the island's reservoirs, the Ministry of Agriculture announced this week that it is exploring the use of cloud seeding to alleviate water shortages.
The former head of the weather service, Kleanthis Nicolaides, urges the authorities to finally implement this measure. The government has confirmed that it is investigating the possibility – but how seriously remains open. The technology itself works, but its effectiveness is controversial.
Nicolaides has appeared in the media several times in recent days and joined the growing concern about the water situation. October has already passed, without any significant rainfall.
The situation is alarming: the island's reservoirs are only about 11% full.
Although the government acknowledges the drama of the situation, it stresses that Cyprus will not be left without water – seawater desalination should secure the supply.
Although the government acknowledges the drama of the situation, it stresses that Cyprus will not be left without water – seawater desalination should secure the supply.
Nicolaides, however, doubts the official figures and assumes that the actual values are even lower. The reason is sediment deposits at the bottom of the dams, which falsify the measurements.
In his appeal, he proposed several measures to combat the drought, such as the construction of plants to reduce evaporation on water surfaces.
"On average, about one centimetre of water evaporates from the reservoirs every day – all year round," he explained.
"Such systems should have been installed two years ago. Now it's too late – the reservoirs are almost empty."
As a further idea, he brought up the use of dehumidifiers that could be used both indoors and outdoors – especially in the humid coastal regions – to extract water directly from the air.
"And what has actually become of the much-heralded program, according to which hotels should build their own desalination plants? Nothing! Only one application has been submitted, and so far only two hotels have their own facilities," he criticized.
He also criticized the massive waste of water in car washes, as the water is not recycled there.
The most important proposal, however, remains: cloud seeding.
Nicolaides emphasizes that he is not an expert, but in view of the situation, the government must finally seriously examine this possibility.
Nicolaides emphasizes that he is not an expert, but in view of the situation, the government must finally seriously examine this possibility.
Cloud seeding is a method of influencing the weather in which substances such as silver iodide, potassium iodide, dry ice or salt particles are introduced into the atmosphere to promote the formation of rain or snow.
This is usually done by aircraft or ground-based generators; modern variants also use drones or laser pulses to electrically influence clouds.
This is usually done by aircraft or ground-based generators; modern variants also use drones or laser pulses to electrically influence clouds.
"Would that be expensive? Probably yes," Nicolaides said.
"But the alternative would be much more expensive – for example, compensation payments in the millions to farmers by the state-owned KOAP."
In fact, experts are already warning of the economic consequences:
water shortages are causing the prices of agricultural products to rise.
water shortages are causing the prices of agricultural products to rise.
The water authority is now advising farmers to refrain from seasonal crops. This has consequences – less lettuce, fewer potatoes, rising prices.
Nicolaides also referred to a report by the Bank of Cyprus that warns that increasing desertification could jeopardize Cyprus' economic growth:
"Someone in the government should finally do a cost-benefit analysis and put the figures on the table."
He also recalled the past: As early as the 1970s, Cyprus had experimented with cloud seeding to increase the amount of precipitation.
"At that time, several planes took off and sprayed substances to produce rain. In the press there was talk of 'pumping the clouds'."
However, there was no evaluation of the results – the war of 1974 interrupted the program.
Nicolaides explained what would be needed to use the method again:
It would require aircraft, trained crews, technicians and meteorological teams to observe cloud movements and assess whether the precipitation was actually artificially generated.
Only certain types of clouds are suitable for vaccination, he explained:
"A cloud must be at least 6,000 feet deep and already exist – you can't create clouds, you can only use existing ones to increase their rain potential."
If everything fits, it starts to rain about 15 minutes after vaccination.
For Cyprus, one or two twin-engine turboprop aircraft, equipped with flares, would be sufficient to release the substances.
Asked about possible self-interest, Nicolaides said:
"I am a pensioner and not a businessman – I am simply making these proposals as a concerned citizen."
The implementation of such a measure would probably be carried out by a private company on behalf of the government, as the administration lacks the technical know-how.
In fact, two Cypriot companies have already submitted proposals for cloud inoculation, as confirmed by Philippos Tymvios, director of the meteorological service.
The proposals were submitted between mid-2024 and early 2025, supplemented by other ideas for increasing precipitation.
The proposals were submitted between mid-2024 and early 2025, supplemented by other ideas for increasing precipitation.
"These proposals are being examined by independent experts. No decision will be made until technical feasibility and transparency are ensured," Tymvios said.
The ministry is closely monitoring international developments and has made contact with countries such as Israel and the United Arab Emirates, which have extensive experience with cloud vaccination.
"However, there is currently no active cloud vaccination program in Cyprus. If it were to be used, it would be on a scientific basis, under independent supervision and in accordance with the public interest."
How seriously the government actually takes the matter is open.
Research also disagrees:
A study by the US National Academy of Sciences found no statistically significant evidence of the effectiveness of cloud seeding.
A study by Tel Aviv University (2010) concluded that the use of silver iodide and dry ice has hardly any measurable influence on the amount of precipitation.
Nevertheless, around 40 countries worldwide are now involved in this technology.
Nicolaides points out that Cyprus today depends almost exclusively on desalination plants and wells – the water from the reservoirs is now used only for agriculture.
"The water we drink and shower with comes exclusively from desalination plants. And desalination is not a permanent solution."
