China's record-breaking heat, drought and "artificial rainfall" may point to environmental pollution = Korea coverage

China has sent "artificial rainfall" to at least 10 of its 31 provincial-level regions to combat the worst heat wave and drought in history.

China's state-run Global Times reported on August 27th that it attempted artificial rain using rain rockets and drones in cities mainly in the central and southern regions, including Sichuan, Chongqing, Anhui, Jiangsu, and Hubei provinces.

China's weather bureau has flown 91 planes this month alone to "seed clouds" to create artificial rain for a total of 260 hours. It reportedly used 116,000 rain bombs, 25,000 rain-enhancing rockets, and 2,000 incendiary rounds.

Artificial rainfall is the principle of increasing rainfall by injecting catalytic agents such as silver iodide particles and dry ice into the air on airplanes, rockets, etc,including unmanned aerial vehicles.

The Chinese side clarified that the effect of artificial rainfall was apparent. In Chongqing, where four rain rockets were launched on August 25th, it rained for the first time in about three weeks, and the temperature dropped by 9.2 degrees.

However, some have pointed out that the artificial rain caused environmental pollution. They argued that toxic silver Eon from silver iodide used as a rainfall catalyst could be harmful to humans and animals.