Kazakhstan pilots cloud seeding to combat drought

Kazakhstan has launched an experimental cloud seeding project to combat severe droughts and water shortages, marking a first for Central Asia. The initiative is being conducted in collaboration with the United Arab Emirates, which is providing technical expertise and specialized equipment.

Using aircraft equipped with seeding flares, pilots disperse particles such as sodium chloride and potassium chloride into clouds. These substances encourage moisture to condense and grow into larger droplets, triggering rainfall. Scientific studies suggest this technique can increase precipitation by 15% to 20%, though success depends heavily on identifying the correct cloud types and updrafts.

The pilot program targets approximately 911,000 hectares of arable land in the Turkestan region, the country’s primary agricultural hub for cotton cultivation. Authorities estimate the economic benefits could reach approximately $75 million (35 billion tenge) annually through improved crop yields and reduced drought-related damages.