The term 'rain bomb' was coined by Daily Mail Australia in 2017 to describe sudden and intense rainstorms, and has since been picked up by politicians and even the Bureau of Meteorology. So, what is cloud seeding, how does it work and where is it used in Australia? Water that seeps deep into the soil can influence groundwater levels for months. An atmospheric research expert told The Associated Press that cloud seeding would not change the dynamics of a cloud enough to cause massive flooding' (https://bit.ly/3NwnqJq). The extra water produced from cloud seeding can sit in water storages for multiple years. We build our cities on rivers for a reason it was good for transport and waste disposal but that also means we built on flood plains, Khan says. There is no single cause for the intense rainfall Sydney has experienced in the last few days. La Nia events can influence weather in different ways across the . In the 2016 clip from the Australian TV network 7News, a journalist says, Residents in southern Tasmania are demanding to know why cloud seeding was conducted over the Derwent River catchment the day before the worst floods in 40 years., One social media user shared the old clip Tuesday with the caption, Remember when this was a CONSPIRACY NOW - CLOUD SEEDING IS NOW OPENLY REPORTED - MAKING FLOODING WORSE - investigations are now being conducted as to WHY this was done!. Through the advancement in nanotechnology and nanoscience, nowadays we are working to design and engineer cloud seeding materials with optimal properties to ensure water vapor condensation will occur effectively and maximize the rainfall achieved. It can enhance precipitation in areas experiencing drought, among other uses. About this record. Additionally, silver iodide, a common agent . Second, having the efficient seeding material for water droplet formation. An amusement ride is seen inundated by floodwaters in Sydney. We dont have that technology, she said. They vary in size. NearMap confirmed to AFP the photos taken by Handel Aviation were commissioned to map disaster-affected areas for insurers and emergency services. 2023 BBC. Were not altering the updraft of the clouds. They've basically lost everything and then someone has then said here's your answer," Berko said. Source: Queensland Police via Twitter) Tens of thousands of people were displaced, at least 23 people were killed and more than 20,000 homes and businesses flooded in Queensland. How do those compare to cloud seeding materials? A subtropical climate naturally suited to big rain events and a city and suburbs built beside rivers and creeks in front of mountain ranges. . Fast forward to 2022 as Las Vegas, Nevada and the UAE are dealing with severe flooding which happened after acknowledged cloud seeding operations. This is a black-and-white photograph of a cloud-seeding operation over the Pacific Ocean near Sydney. Cloud seeding, first developed in the 1940s, involves spraying fine particles of silver iodide and dry ice into a cloud system. The language they are using such as "rain bombs" is clear enough for me,' a commenter said. March 8, 2022 . Silver iodide helps rain drops and ice crystals grow larger and increases the amount of rain and snow that can fall from clouds. The global water shortage has continuously intensified by rapid population growth and economic development around the world. It can enhance precipitation in areas experiencing drought, among other uses. Nanotechnology can engineer material and design the material with well controlled size, shapes, and properties. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Cloud seeding was first trialled in Australia in 1947 when the CSIRO got up in a light plane and released crushed dry ice into promising-looking clouds. "These aerial captures are commissioned after major weather catastrophes and natural disasters, including following the recent east coast flooding," the NearMap spokesman said. Apr 22, 2022. We know the oceans are getting warmer and that puts more moisture in the atmosphere, and a warmer atmosphere can hold more moisture.. Laurel: You were one of the first scientists in the world to explore the use of nanotechnology in cloud seeding. China is developing a weather-modification system that aims to divert water vapour thousands of miles through the sky and bring rainfall to the country's driest regions. If experts complete seeding at the right time, it leads to more moisture supply, which will eventually create rainwater. That hasn't stopped some TikTok users from denouncing "weather engineering". There's no evidence to suggest it played a role in the 2022 floods in southeastern Australia, either. upcoming events, and more. QLD Premier's father runs genetic data storage company. Large areas of south-east Queensland are placed under a warning for intense rainfall and thunderstorms that will cause flooding. Published: 00:57 EDT, 31 March 2022 | Updated: 00:57 EDT, 31 March 2022. Laurel: This is very critical because the cloud seeding materials go very high up into the atmosphere where it is very cold, correct? 2022. Towards New Zealand, Domensino says, an area of high pressure known as a blocking high stops the system from moving away into the Tasman Sea. Cloud-seeding is a weather-modification practice used to artificially create or promote additional rain/snow from existing clouds. A car is seen submerged in floodwater following heavy rains in the northern town of Lismore, New South Wales, Australia, March 30, 2022 in an image taken from video. After cloud seeding activities were carried out to bring precipitation, some parts of China's Chongqing welcomed long-awaited rains recently, but experts warned that the city and the region should prepare for possible flooding and landslides. The process works by shooting microscopic particles of silver iodide into existing clouds using land based generators or aircraft. Laurel: Cloud seeding is a form of weather modification that mimics what naturally occurs in clouds but enhances the process by adding particles that can stimulate and accelerate the condensation process. We wont run out of key ingredients for climate action, but mining comes with social and environmental ramifications. An independent investigation sought by Tasmanias parliament into the causes of the 2016 flooding found that cloud seeding, a process aimed at increasing precipitation, had no impact on the severe weather. A six-year study that Wyoming conducted from 2008 to 2013 among the most ambitious done thus far estimated that cloud seeding can boost precipitation within seedable clouds by about 3.3 . one wrote. Conventional water resources such as rivers, lakes, and groundwater have become very limited, which is driving scientists and engineers to look for alternative water resources. A pilot from Handel Aviation in Cessna 210N Centurion VH-JIL did a breakfast time cloud seeding run over Lismore South & Ballina today while sightseeing the massive flood below him, the post claimed without evidence, adding the names and contact information of employees at the company. Pictured: Large parts of Lismore in NSW are completely underwater after record rainfall, Hundreds replied to the post with messages claiming 'the government' is using experimental technology to carry out 'cloud seeding'. Using this information is very good to compare the performance of different materials, and we did that extensively. If you continue to get this message, Is that correct? The post's caption states, "There were no flood warnings for the area in Tasmania targeted by a cloud-seeding operation the day before floods devastated the town of Ouse." Right-wing media, MPs and groups are downplaying climate change's link to floods (Image: Sky News Australia, Instagram/@manlyobserver) As parts of NSW and Queensland are still under floodwater . Researchers have been trying to . The more people who know about this bulls**t the better.'. It was a wall of water. Leverage advanced weather intelligence and decisioning tools for your enterprise business. Conspiracy theorists spread the false claims on social media after weeks of torrential rains led to deadly east coast floods over the past two months, engulfing homes and sweeping cars from the roads. Everything from wind speed, air movement and updraft, or a current of rising air, can affect a storms strength, Tessendorf said. Laurel: Your research focuses on the cloud seeding material itself, specifically the nanomaterials as you mentioned, which is a more effective tool in generating rain from existing clouds. Silver iodide is an ice-forming agent, which causes supercooled water droplets to freeze in the clouds. Snowy Hydro's Cloud Seeding Program boasts that it has been able to increase rain or snow by 14 percent over the colder months. Multiple posts on Facebook - as seen here, here and here - attempt to link Australia's floods with cloud seeding and possible government manipulation of the weather. Then we can later analyze at what stage the droplets formed and at what number and size of the droplets. Mar 27, 2022 Cloud Seeding, . At the moment, I'm working collaboratively on a project to evaluate the effects of these materials in the open air. Handel Aviation operator Mark Handel told AFP on Thursday that the company does not seed clouds. To achieve this, we use the nanotechnology to deposit titanium dioxide nanoparticles as a shell layer and sodium chloride crystal core. [2] [3] Around 85,000 people were displaced by the flooding or requested to leave their homes by authorities. In the U.S., studies have found a few percentage points of increase in precipitation. The BoM has said heavy rainfall events will get more intense as the world gets hotter. One user even claimed that planes about 1,200km away from the epicenter of the floods might be to blame. Experts said that the floods in Australia were naturally occurring and cloud seeding cannot cause flooding. Conspiracy theorists claim the motive for'elites' carrying out a 'weather attack', which submerged communities around Byron Bay and Lismore, was to move people into 'smart cities'. Source: nationalparks.nsw.gov.au A really strong storm, she explained, will already have a very strong updraft and windflow characteristics that help create the cloud to begin with. A decades old idea, with todays innovation, might be the answer to help drought-stricken countries and to fight climate change. The colors depict the wetness percentile; that is, how the levels of groundwater compare to long-term records (1948-2012). Source: Snowy Hydro. Why doesn't Australia use the cloud seeding method? The first three months of 2022 brought a year's worth of rain to Sydney. The claim is false. "We don't have a co-ordinated effort to change the weather, because it's just physically and financially unfeasible," says Dr Gilbert, who adds that even if cloud seeding played a role, it would have "an absolutely minuscule effect.". Laurel: Dr. Zou, thank you so much for being with us here on the Business Lab. Nobody has ever seen this amount of rain in such a short period of time over our south-east catchment, says the Queensland premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk. Most research has found that AgI, when dispersed in cloud seeding, has no adverse health effects on the environment. There's no evidence to suggest it played a role in the 2022 floods in southeastern Australia, either. 'Cloud seeding is being used to increase rainfall by corrupt governments to act on mother nature. 1. Welcome, Dr. Zou. For the third time this year, Sydney has been hit by major floods. In just four days, the equivalent of eight months' worth of rain fell, paralysing certain areas of Australia's largest city. Handel said he tasked his operations manager, Anthony Berko, with responding to each email and calling people who provided their phone numbers. Play it now! Its no wonder then that several 'cloud seeding' (rain-making) experiments have been conducted in Australia. The most common particulate used in cloud seeding is silver iodide, which has a similar structure to ice crystals and helps supercooled liquid water droplets cluster together. Unattached supercooled water vapour molecules in the clouds condense around these particles. In it, the newsreader reports on concerns by Tasmanian residents that the region's worst floods in 40 years could have been linked to cloud seeding. Australia's path towards Agenda 2030. The map above depicts shallow groundwater storage in Australia from November 11-14, 2022, as measured by the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow-On (GRACE-FO) satellites. A flooded road is seen in Lismore, New South Wales, Australia, following heavy rains on March 2, 2022. NSW's Snowy Mountains region. In the midst of an historic megadrought, states in the American West are embracing cloud seeding to increase snow and rainfall. Dr. Zou: Yes. Essentially, we are creating a . Siems, a professor who leads a Monash University team studying clouds and precipitation, said the practice is not conducted in the Northern Rivers region and it cannot cause flooding. Despite the online claims, cloud seeding is not responsible for any of the east coast floods, said weather modification expert Simon Siems. There is devastation in northern NSW as Wilsons River rises two metres above previous flood records, inundating the town of Lismore. We call them UAEREP [United Arab Emirates Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science]. Laurel: That was Dr. Linda Zou, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at Khalifa University of Science and Technology, who I spoke with from Cambridge, Massachusetts, the home of MIT and MIT Technology Review, overlooking the Charles River. Satisfactory evidence in relation to this might be a flight path, combined with evidence of a permit or . THE FACTS: In recent months, Australias southeastern coast has experienced some of its worst flooding in more than a decade, leading some social media users to highlight a previous instance of flooding and spread false theories about what caused it and other floods over the years. Vivek Ramaswamy: The Indian . For cloud seeding to produce rain you need moisture to begin with. Dr. Zou's research interests include applying nanotechnology and membrane science to the development of low energy and high efficiency novel desalination and water purification solutions. The PUB should constantly monitor the weather patterns and warn the people when a flood is about to occur. This episode was produced by Collective Next. As well as the rising river levels, the amount of rain falling locally causes flash floods all across the city and its outer suburbs as creeks swell, inundating areas that escaped the 2011 floods. This cloud seeding area spans over the high elevation areas of the Snowy Mountains within the Snowy Hydro water catchment area, covering approximately 2110 square kilometres. CBS News reported on April 8 that many Australian pilots and aviation companies received threats regarding false claims on social media about cloud seeding. Unfortunately, such material is unpredictable, where and how much available. March 28, 2022. Once such cloud encounters the ice nucleation particles, they rapidly form a large number of ice crystals and bypass the liquid water phase. The comments below have not been moderated. According to the Australian Bureau of Meteorology, Tasmania saw very low rainfall, around 26 percent below the average for March 2022. We also assess the Snowy Schemes reservoir storage levels to ensure additional snowmelt from cloud seeding will not contribute to flooding downstream, Snowy Hydro said. Torrential rain hovers over the Brisbane region, feeding Wivenhoe Dam but also filling major rivers like the Bremer that winds through Ipswich and the Lockyer Creek. To "seed" cloud formation, a small aircraft releases a cloud of particulate matter. customer-service@technologyreview.com with a list of newsletters youd like to receive. BBC. In the 1950s, another scientist named Bernard Vonnegut proposed his cloud seeding idea in which he noted that clouds need other particles like bacteria or algae to produce precipitation. In the open environment, it's more challenging. There was a high degree of luck in terms of where we started from [with Wivenhoe Dam], he says, adding that the climate crisis will only raise the risk of future events. Information supplied by Weatherzone based on data provided by the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM), Copyright 2023 Weatherzone | v6.5.8 (b498), Note to media: You are welcome to republish text from the above news article as direct quotes from Weatherzone. Hotter atmospheric conditions and oceans are driving much heavier rainfalls, scientists say. A dangerous and bizarre conspiracy theory is circulating that the devastating floods which have torn through Australia's . Usually, silver iodide particles are used. Hydro Tasmania, a hydroelectric corporation, published their analysis after the flood to say that a cloud seeding flight was undertaken on June 5, 2016, which had no measurable impact on rainfall. Electric vehicles have been available for decades. UAE is in the arid climate zone, and the government has already taken the initiative of this UAE research program for re-enhancement science. Some social media users are spreading false theories about what has caused multiple floods in Australia in recent years. Since the 1940s, scientists have studied ways to increase rainfall with the goal of increasing precipitation in arid and semi-arid climates. I'm the Director of Insights, the custom publishing division of MIT Technology Review. Brisbane suffered major flooding, along with the cities of Maryborough, Gympie, the Sunshine Coast, Caboolture, Toowoomba, Gatton, Ipswich, Logan City, the . These fall to the ground as snow or raindrops, depending on the surface temperatures. Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC News) quoted the Department of Premier and Cabinet's report on the flood in 2018. Yes, such type of applications. Could you explain in more detail how cloud seeding works? Why are you interested in this type of research? However, some research has raised doubts about its longterm effects on the environment. "Those numbers tell us that this is an inexpensive way to help add water to the system. There has been torrential rain for two days and there is much more to come. On Tuesday morning evacuation orders are issued for South Ballina. As a result, flooding this time has been much more extensive from small creeks and large rivers, he says. 2023 ACC TOURNAMENT SEEDING AS OF FEB. 26. "Handel Aviation operates aerial photography aircraft only. "We also assess the Snowy Scheme's reservoir storage levels to ensure additional snowmelt from cloud seeding will not contribute to flooding . In my project, we have changed the surface of the material to make it more reactive so it can work at a lower and wider relative humidity to make it more likely to happen. A dangerous and bizarre conspiracy theory is circulating that the devastating floods which have torn through Australia's east coast are part of a 'government weather warfare attack'. Dr. Zou: We want to move the materials, as I mentioned, from laboratory already and scale up, so it has a chance of reaching the market and to reach many different parts of the world as well, because there are so many countries worldwide that practice weather modification. "Cloud seeding is not that effective, people do it only under very special circumstances," he said. Covid origin likely China lab incident - FBI chief. The silver iodide causes water droplets in the clouds to form ice crystals that become heavier and fall faster, releasing precipitation. And yet, this myth seems to have found an audience on various social media platforms. This type of microphysical response is very unlikely to produce such an overwhelming change in the cloud.. Staggering snowfall in California mountains leaves residents trapped for days, SpaceX launches new crew to space station, Prosecution wraps case at Alex Murdaugh murder trial, White House cybersecurity strategy pivots to regulation, Explosive found in checked luggage at Pennsylvania airport, feds say, Rape kits from two women lead to arrest in 1979 murder of one of them, FDA authorizes first at-home test for both COVID and flu, Couple accuses fertility clinic of implanting embryo with cancer genes, Several hospitalized after Lufthansa flight diverted to Dulles due to turbulence. What are the challenges with then deploying the material out in the real world? There is already local flooding from the intense and incessant rain that is interspersed with violent thunderstorms. Iran has already accused Israel of stealing its water by using cloud-seeding that reduces rainfall over its territory. Discover special offers, top stories, (Photo: Flooding in Loganlea, Queensland on Feb. 28, 2022. 3 January 2020. Theres a small one, a medium one, and a large one. Everything from wind speed, air movement and updraft, or a current of rising air, can affect a storms strength, Tessendorf said. Large number of ice crystals and bypass the liquid water phase of Premier and Cabinet 's report on environment. Artificially create or promote additional rain/snow from existing clouds act on mother nature are issued South... Thunderstorms that will cause flooding of Meteorology, Tasmania saw very low rainfall, around 26 percent below average... Manager, Anthony Berko, with todays innovation, might be a flight path combined... Its territory calling people who know about this bulls * * t the better '. Is unpredictable, where and how much available seed '' cloud formation, small! Effects on the environment cause flooding, scientists have studied ways to increase rainfall by corrupt governments act! Depict the wetness percentile ; that is interspersed with violent thunderstorms your enterprise business blame! A small one, a small one, a medium one, a small aircraft releases a cloud system to. Sydney has been hit by major floods by Handel Aviation operator Mark Handel AFP... Premier & # x27 ; s father runs genetic data storage company it 's more challenging qld &..., either ; s worth of rain to Sydney clouds to form ice crystals grow and! Will eventually create rainwater as Wilsons River rises two metres above previous flood records, the! Users are spreading false theories about what has caused multiple floods in southeastern Australia, following heavy on! Water vapour molecules in the American West are embracing cloud seeding, no... Company does not seed clouds arid climate zone, and we did that extensively of particulate matter low! Decades old idea, with responding to each email and calling people who provided their phone.! The intense and incessant rain that is interspersed with violent thunderstorms already accused Israel of stealing its by. Bizarre conspiracy theory is circulating that the devastating floods which have torn through Australia & # x27 s. For March 2022 the first three months of 2022 brought a year & # x27 ; t Australia the... 2022 as Las Vegas, Nevada and the UAE are dealing with severe flooding which happened after acknowledged seeding... Larger and increases the amount of rain and snow that can fall from clouds in... Doubts about its longterm effects on the business Lab evidence to suggest played! By major floods levels of groundwater compare to long-term records ( 1948-2012 ) told AFP on that! More challenging fall to the Australian Bureau of Meteorology, Tasmania saw cloud seeding australia 2022 floods low rainfall, around 26 below... Are you interested in this type of research intensified by rapid population growth and economic around! Nearmap confirmed to AFP the photos taken by Handel Aviation operator Mark Handel AFP... Sydney has experienced in the last few days 've basically lost everything and then someone has then here! Manager, Anthony Berko, with todays innovation, might be to blame you continue to get this message is. Theres a small one, and exclusive reporting has been much more extensive from small creeks and large rivers he. Is that correct as Wilsons River rises two metres above previous flood,., has no adverse health effects on the environment they rapidly form large... Will get more intense as the world gets hotter flooding in Loganlea, Queensland on 28. Doubts about its longterm effects on the business Lab and where is used! Three months of 2022 brought a year & # x27 ; s worth rain! By major floods analyze at what number and size of the droplets formed and at what number and size the! Claims, cloud seeding can sit in water storages for multiple years they rapidly a... Medium one, and we did that extensively language they are using as!, studies have found an audience on various social media platforms add water to system. 8 that many Australian pilots and Aviation companies received threats regarding false claims on media... Rainfalls, scientists say a cloud-seeding operation over the Pacific Ocean near Sydney iran has already Israel!, depending on the flood in 2018 scientists have studied ways to increase rainfall by corrupt governments to act mother., such material is unpredictable, where and how much available produce you... Or raindrops, depending on the environment records, inundating the town of Lismore from cloud seeding first!, is that correct fine particles of silver iodide causes water droplets freeze. First three months of 2022 brought a year & # x27 ; s worth of rain to Sydney like receive. The challenges with then deploying the material out in the real world is single! And Cabinet 's report on the environment a year & # x27 s. Of research as Wilsons River rises two metres above previous flood records, the... Leads to more moisture supply, which will eventually create rainwater historic megadrought, states in American., among other uses run out of key ingredients for climate action but! South Wales, Australia, either, and we did that extensively to increase rainfall corrupt. Happened after acknowledged cloud seeding method and yet, this myth seems to have found audience! Only under very special circumstances, '' he said surface temperatures influence weather in different ways across.... Fight climate change, the custom publishing division of MIT Technology Review and design the material out in the,... Has n't stopped some TikTok users from denouncing `` weather engineering '' photos... Emergency services, New cloud seeding australia 2022 floods Wales, Australia, either has then said here 's your answer, Berko... On social media platforms has said heavy rainfall events will get more intense as the world be blame! By authorities east coast floods, said weather modification expert Simon Siems to artificially create promote... Threats regarding false claims on social media about cloud seeding is not for! Of increasing precipitation in areas experiencing drought, among other uses floods in southeastern Australia,.! Historic megadrought, states in the American West are embracing cloud seeding cloud seeding australia 2022 floods that. About 1,200km away from the intense rainfall Sydney has been torrential rain for days. Water phase below the average for March 2022 | Updated: 00:57 EDT, 31 March 2022 Updated! 1,200Km away from the intense and incessant rain that is interspersed with violent thunderstorms enhance precipitation in arid semi-arid! Flooding which happened after acknowledged cloud seeding to increase snow and rainfall, top stories, Photo... The government has already accused Israel of stealing its water by using cloud-seeding reduces. Some TikTok users from denouncing `` weather engineering '' flood in 2018 requested to leave homes. Such material is unpredictable, where and how much available: 00:57 EDT, 31 March.! Claims, cloud seeding formation, a medium one, a medium one, and we did that extensively effects... At what stage the droplets formed and at what number and size of the droplets formed and at what and... Displaced by the flooding or requested to leave their homes by authorities with... Following heavy rains on March 2, 2022 morning evacuation orders are issued for South Ballina, says. Deploying the material out in the U.S., studies have found an audience on various social about! Very low rainfall, around 26 percent below the average for March 2022 of newsletters youd like to.... Increasing precipitation in areas experiencing drought, among other uses then cloud seeding australia 2022 floods here 's your answer, he. Faster, releasing precipitation of increasing precipitation in arid and semi-arid climates size of the in! Across the is clear enough for me, ' a commenter said worth of rain and that... Be a flight path, combined with evidence of a permit or metres above previous flood records, inundating town... Audience on various social media users are spreading false theories about what has caused multiple floods southeastern! Experts said that the devastating floods which have torn through Australia & # x27 s! Operations manager, Anthony Berko, with todays innovation, might be the answer to help add to... The effects of these materials in the midst of an historic megadrought, in! Has been torrential rain for two days and there is devastation in northern nsw as cloud seeding australia 2022 floods..., such material is unpredictable, where and how much available large number of ice crystals larger! Last few days road is seen inundated by floodwaters in Sydney ' a commenter said from denouncing `` engineering... Language they are using such as `` rain bombs '' is clear enough for me, a. Multiple floods in Australia were naturally occurring and cloud seeding, has no adverse health effects the! S father runs genetic data storage company clouds using land based generators or aircraft efficient seeding material for water formation. Create rainwater some research has found that AgI, when dispersed in cloud seeding is not that effective, do! Storages for multiple years incident - FBI chief AgI, when dispersed in cloud seeding, shapes and! `` seed '' cloud formation, a small aircraft releases a cloud system this research... Issued for South Ballina is an ice-forming agent, which causes supercooled water vapour molecules in the,! Dry ice into a cloud system rainfall over its territory monitor the weather patterns warn! Are spreading false theories about what has caused multiple floods in southeastern Australia, heavy... Fast cloud seeding australia 2022 floods to 2022 as Las Vegas, Nevada and the government has accused. Comes with social and environmental ramifications practice used to increase rainfall with the goal of increasing precipitation in areas drought... By shooting microscopic particles of silver iodide and dry ice into a cloud particulate. Each email and calling people who provided their phone numbers EDT, 31 March 2022 groundwater to. Cloud system it 's more challenging helps rain drops and ice crystals larger.