Context:
The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), conducted a cloud seeding research study titled CAIPEEX (Cloud Aerosol Interaction and Precipitation Enhancement Experiment) during 2018–2019 over the rain shadow region of India.
Key Highlights:
Objective of CAIPEEX:
- To scientifically study aerosol-cloud-precipitation interactions.
- To evaluate rain enhancement via randomized cloud seeding, following World Meteorological Organization (WMO) protocols.
Technological and Institutional Developments
- Under Mission Mausam (Weather_MoD vertical), IITM is:
- Developing a 16m tall cloud chamber.
- Collaborating with industries/startups to develop seeding aircraft, drones, seeding materials, and dispensers.
Cloud Seeding
Cloud seeding is a weather modification technique used to enhance precipitation by dispersing substances like silver iodide into clouds, encouraging the formation of ice crystals or larger raindrops. This can be done to increase rainfall, suppress hail, or disperse fog.
Applications of Cloud Seeding
- Catchment-scale rainfall enhancement.
- Rainfall suppression (via overseeding).
- Fog and hail suppression, marine cloud brightening.
- Potential intervention in extreme weather events, though with high uncertainty.
- Air pollution reduction in urban areas – a subject of future research.
