Bohol launches cloud seeding to combat El Niño drought damage

TAGBILARAN CITY, BOHOL — Bohol's provincial government has begun cloud-seeding flights to provide relief to drought-stricken farmers grappling with the impacts of the El Niño phenomenon. Aircraft conducted initial operations on Monday and Tuesday as authorities escalated efforts to induce rainfall across affected agricultural areas.

The cloud-seeding program represents a direct response to mounting agricultural losses throughout the province. As of the launch of the operation, preliminary damage assessments have valued crop losses at approximately P300 million, prompting provincial officials to deploy the weather modification technology.

The initiative reflects growing concern over the El Niño-driven drought's impact on farming communities across Bohol. Cloud seeding, which involves dispersing substances into clouds to stimulate precipitation, has been employed in various regions as a drought-mitigation strategy during periods of prolonged dry conditions.

Provincial authorities have indicated the operations will continue as part of broader efforts to support the agricultural sector during the El Niño episode. The seeding flights target areas most severely affected by water scarcity to maximize potential crop recovery and minimize further economic losses to farming households.