A project aimed at artificially increasing precipitation has been launched in the Turkestan Region. Kazakhstan has become the first country in Central Asia to begin the practical application of artificial rain technology to combat drought and water shortages.
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The full-scale implementation of the project will begin on May 17. Its main goal is to increase reservoir water levels and improve water supply for more than 911,000 hectares of agricultural land in the region.
The project is being carried out in cooperation with the UAE National Center of Meteorology, which has been developing weather modification technologies since the late 1980s. According to international estimates, artificial precipitation enhancement can increase rainfall by 10–20%.
According to Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development, Zhaslan Madiyev, the project will serve as a foundation for building a modern climate infrastructure in Kazakhstan and training local specialists in climate technologies.
Targeted weather modification
The project will be implemented locally in areas with high water demand, primarily agricultural territories. The selection of operational zones is being carried out jointly with meteorological experts and relevant government agencies, taking into account weather conditions, environmental factors, and water supply needs.
Beeld: drone remote control
The radius of impact does not exceed five kilometers. Special salt-based reagents commonly used in international weather modification practices will be applied to stimulate precipitation.
The project is expected to reduce drought-related damage, increase crop yields, and generate an economic effect of up to 35 billion tenge per year. Authorities are also considering expanding the technology to other regions of the country in the future.
Environmental concerns
At the same time, international experts note that the effectiveness of artificial rain has not been fully proven and requires ongoing scientific oversight. The World Meteorological Organization calls for transparency in data and monitoring of possible impacts on the environment and the region’s water balance.
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Some specialists also warn about potential risks — from effects on ecosystems to possible disputes between countries over the redistribution of rainfall. Kazakh authorities, however, emphasize that the substances used are safe and cannot cause “acid rain” or serious chemical pollution.