Honduras to implement cloud seeding to combat drought

The Honduran government, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (SAG), is preparing approximately 20 cloud seeding flights to combat severe drought caused by El Niño. This initiative, a partnership between the government and the private sector, aims to intervene in up to 2 million hectares of land.

The operation will utilize specialized aircraft to disperse silver iodide into existing cloud formations to stimulate precipitation. Priority areas include the Corredor Seco, the Aguán region, and basins supplying the Central District and Comayagüela. The project seeks to alleviate water shortages in Tegucigalpa, where residents currently face strict water rationing.

Technical experts from Startup Renaissance noted that while the process depends on specific atmospheric conditions such as humidity and instability, previous projects have seen precipitation increases of 60% to 100%. Officials clarified that while the goal is to increase rainfall by at least 40%, the technique does not guarantee specific precipitation levels.