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According to an article by Antriana Panteli, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment is considering a pilot cloud seeding project as a possible tool to help ease Cyprus’ ongoing water scarcity, officials said this week.
Dr. Philippos Tymvios, director of the Cyprus Department of Meteorology, told Kathimerini that cloud seeding could serve as a complementary measure but not a replacement for desalination, recycling, or conservation efforts. “No decision has been made for its operational deployment,” Tymvios said, noting that scientific evidence on its effectiveness under Cyprus’ specific climatic conditions is still needed.
The Meteorological Department has begun exploratory talks with countries experienced in the technique, including Israel and the United Arab Emirates, and has received proposals from local firms. One proposal estimates an annual cost of about €10 million.
Physical meteorologist Dr. Cleanthis Nicolaides explained that cloud seeding works by dispersing particles into existing clouds to enhance rainfall. “It doesn’t create clouds. they must already exist,” he said. Both scientists emphasized that the materials used are safe for humans and the environment, with international studies showing positive results when the method is applied under controlled conditions.
However, Tymvios cautioned that cloud seeding’s success depends on weather patterns and suitable cloud formations, making its outcomes uncertain and geographically limited. “Desalination guarantees results regardless of weather,” he said. “Cloud seeding is a probabilistic intervention that can only complement other water management strategies.”
If the pilot moves forward, it would involve detailed protocols, flight permits, scientific oversight, and transparent evaluation before any full-scale deployment.
Other alternatives under review include expanding desalination, improving wastewater recycling, modernizing irrigation systems, and promoting water-saving behaviors across Cyprus.
