Artificial rainmaking still under research

India Meteorological Department (IMD) Director General MRUTYUNJAY MOHAPATRA said the Mission Mausam programme, approved by the Union Cabinet last month with a budget outlay of ₹2,000 crore over two years, will not just improve weather forecasting in the country but also study the potential to enhance or suppress rain. In an interview with Ramani Ranjan Mohapatra in New Delhi, the IMD chief spoke about the improved forecasting system, global warming impact, and artificial intelligence (AI) applications.

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Edited excerpts:

Can you elaborate on the Mission Mausam programme? Many experts have called for caution in developing artificial cloud chambers.

The objective of Mission Mausam is to improve the IMD's forecast services. Through this initiative, we aim to improve our observation, communication, modelling, forecasting, and warning dissemination systems. Artificial rainmaking is still under research. It has not been told that we will go for operations.

How did IMD fare in forecasting the monsoon this year?