The country is expanding its weather control project and will produce artificial snowfall and rainfall on a whim.
The Chinese government announced a five-fold expansion of the weather control project. The authorities noted that it will cover 5.4 million square kilometers, or 56% of the country’s area.
China is one of more than 50 countries that use reagent seeding in clouds to change their phase state. This technique is most often used for agricultural needs, as well as at airports with bad weather conditions to suppress hail and fog.
China launched its own weather control program in the 1960s. The industry today employs about 35,000 people – more than any other country in the world.
According to the Council of State, by 2035 the project will reach an “advanced level”, help mitigate “disasters such as drought and hail”, and will contribute to emergency response “from forest or pasture fires.”
In 2017, the country spent $ 168 million on equipment to support the cloud seeding project.
In January 2019, state media reported that cloud seeding tactics in the western region of Xinjiang prevented 70% of the hail damage.
