31 cloud fertilization ops across Iran’s watersheds since November
Iran's Ministry of Energy announced that 31 cloud seeding operations have been carried out in the country's watersheds since the start of the current water year on November 22.
The operations began concurrently with the arrival of the first precipitation system into the country and continued across various water basins, utilizing both drones and aircraft, IRNA reported.
A total of 16 operations were conducted using drones while 15 operations employed aircraft, according to the ministry's report.
Drone-based operations included six missions in the Zayandehrud and Koohrang watersheds, eight missions in South Khorasan Province's watershed, and two missions in the watersheds of Fars and Bushehr provinces.
Aircraft operations comprised seven operational flights in the northwest watershed and Lake Urmia, three operational flights in the Central Alborz watershed covering Tehran, Qazvin and Alborz provinces, three operational flights in the northeast watershed encompassing Khorasan Razavi and North Khorasan provinces, and three operational flights in the southwest watershed including Isfahan, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, and Khuzestan provinces.
Persistent drought has created severe challenges for meeting Iran’s water needs, further contributing to the 35% drop in dam inflows.
According to Ministry of Energy, the cost of producing 1,000 cubic meters of water through cloud seeding ranges from $15 to $22.