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Cloud Seeding

Why in the news?

• IITM Pune demonstrates cloud seeding can produce rainfall.
• The experiment is the Cloud Aerosol Interaction and Precipitation Enhancement Experiment (CAIPEEX phase-4).
• The cloud seeding experiment was performed in Solapur City, on the leeward side of the Western Ghats. Resulted in increased rainfall by 18%.
• The relative enhancement of accumulated rainfall was seen over two hours after seeding the clouds.

Cloud Seeding

Cloud seeding is a weather modification technique used to enhance precipitation in regions facing water scarcity or drought. It involves the introduction of certain substances into clouds to promote rain or snow.

• Pilot Projects in India: India has initiated cloud seeding programs in various states like Karnataka, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana to address water shortages, particularly in rain-shadow areas.
• Technology and Method: Cloud seeding typically employs the dispersal of substances such as silver iodide or calcium chloride into clouds to encourage the formation of ice crystals and subsequent precipitation.
• Aim of Cloud Seeding in India: The primary goal of cloud seeding in India is to increase rainfall and snowfall in regions with deficient water resources, especially during the monsoon season.
• Positive Outcomes: Cloud seeding experiments have shown promising results in some areas. For example, Solapur in Maharashtra witnessed an 18% relative enhancement in rainfall during pilot projects, alleviating water scarcity.
• Challenges and Controversies: Cloud seeding is not without challenges and concerns. Some critics question its effectiveness and potential environmental impacts. The success of cloud seeding largely depends on weather conditions and cloud characteristics.
• Government Initiatives: Various state governments have collaborated with organizations specializing in weather modification to carry out cloud seeding programs, and the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) is involved in monitoring and research.