Puerto Rico cloud-seeding revival faces expert skepticism

As Puerto Rico faces an intensifying water crisis, the government has revived cloud-seeding operations over the Carraízo and La Plata reservoir basins. However, experts are questioning the effectiveness of this tactic.

Dr. Pablo Menéndez Lázaro, a former member of Puerto Rico’s Drought Committee, warned that cloud-seeding is an unreliable tool for the island. He noted that the method relies on probabilities and is difficult to control, making it hard to ensure precipitation falls specifically over the island's narrow catchment zones. Menéndez stated that while the technique was used during the 2015 drought, the committee advised against it because it was not proven to be effective.

Supporting these concerns, a 2024 report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) concluded that the benefits of cloud-seeding remain unproven. The report highlighted that while some studies estimate precipitation increases of 0% to 20%, evaluating success is difficult due to unpredictable cloud conditions and inconsistent data. Additionally, the GAO noted that cloud-seeding can only function when specific cloud types are already present, a limitation during severe droughts.