Despite existing for several decades, cloud seeding technology continues to be controversial in the weather community, especially following the severe flooding in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

There were reports of unprecedented flooding in the UAE on April 16th. Many media outlets blamed the cloud seeding operations that Dubai frequently conducts to address its water needs. According to Ahmed Habib, an expert at the National Center of Meteorology (NCM), the UAE conducted cloud seeding operations a few days before the rainfall. Aircraft were deployed from Al Ain airport to influence convective clouds forming in the area, as reported by Interesting Engineering.

Dubai was left completely paralyzed after heavy rainfall, resulting in the region receiving a year's worth of rain in just 24 hours. Schools were closed, and employees were asked to work remotely as underground parking lots were flooded. The subway service was also disrupted due to the two-day-long rainfall. Dubai International Airport, one of the busiest airports globally, experienced significant operational disruptions, with flights being diverted or delayed for hours. The damage wasn't limited to Dubai alone. Streets in the capital Abu Dhabi were flooded, and a 70-year-old man lost his life after his car was caught in a flash flood in Ras Al Khaimah.